The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1919-07-17

autocratic authority of it's governors.
And IN the settlement of the peace
we have sought no special reparation
for ourselves, but only the restoration
OF right and the assurance of liberty
everywhere that the effects of the
settlement were to be felt We en-
tered the war as disinterested cham
pions Of right and we interested our
selves in the terms OF the peace in
no other capacity.
The hopes of the nations allied
against the central powers were at
very low ebb when our soldiers began
to pour across the sea.
There was everywhere amongst
them, except in their stoutest spirits.
sombre foreboding Of disaster. The
war ended in November, eight months
ago, but you have only to recall what
was feared in midsummer last four
short months before the armistice. to
realize what it was that our timely
aid accomplished alike for their
morale and their physical safety. The
first, never-to-beforgotten action at
Chateau Thierry, had already taken
place. Our redoubtable soldiers and
marines had already closed the gap
the enemy had succeeded in opening
for their advance upon Paris-had al
ready turned the tide Of battle back
towards the frontiers Of France and
begun the rout that was to save Eu-
rope and the world. Thereafter the
Germans were to be always forced
back, were never to thrust success
fully forward again. And yet, there
was no confident hope. Anxious men
and women, leading spirits of France,
attended the celebration of the Fourth
Of July last year in Paris out OF gen
erous courtesy-with no heart for
festivity, little zest for hope. But they
came away with omething new at
their hearts; they have themselves
told US so. The mere sight OF uor
men-of their vigor, OF the confidence
that showed itself in every movement
of their stalwart figures and every turn
Of their swinging march, In their
steady comprehending eyes and easy
discipline, in the indomitable air that
added spirit to everything they did
made every one who saw them that
remarkable day realize that something
had happened that was much more
than a. mere incident in the fighting,
something very different from the
mere arrival Of fresh troops. A great
moral force had flung itself into the
struggle. The fine physical force OF
these spirited men spoke OF some
thing more than bodily vigor. They
carried the great ideals of a free peo-
pie at their hearts and with that
vision were unconquerable. Their
very presence brought reinsurance;
their fighting made victory certain.
They were recognized as crusaders
and as their thousands swelled to
millions their strength was seen to
mean salvation. And they were ut men
to carry such a hope and make good
the assurance it forecast.
Finer men never went into battle:
and their officers were worthy OF
them. This is not the occasion upon
which to utter an eulogy OF the armies
America sent to France, but perhaps,
since I am speaking of their mission,
I may speak also OF the pride I shared
with every American who saw or
dealt with them there. They were the
sort of men America would wish TO
claim as fellow countrymen and com
rades in a great cause. They were
terrible in battle, and gentle and help
ful ont of it, remembering the mothers
and the sisters, the wives and the III
tie children at home. They were free
men under arms, not forgetting their
IDEALS of duty in the midst OF tasks
of violence. I am proud to have mao
the privilege Of being associated win
men and of calling myself their
leader.
Ru+ speak now Of what they
meant to the men by whose sides they
fought and to the people with wnom
they mingled with such utter s1mpllc-
;tv. as friends who asked only 70 pc
NJ service. They were TOR all the
visible embodiment OF America. Wnat
thew did made America and all tnat
she stood for a living reality in the
thoughts not only Of the people OF
France. but also Of tens or millions
cf men and women throughout all the
toiling nations OF q world stano1ng
everywhere in peril OF it's freedom ana
~ the loss Of everything it held dear
in deadly fear that It's bonds were
never to be 1oosed, it's hopes forever
IN he Knocked and disappointed.
And the compulsion OF what they
stood for was upon US who represent
ed America at the peace table. IL
was our duty to see to it that every
decision we took part in contributed
40 far as we were able to influence |
II TO ouiet the fears and realize the
hopes Of the peoples who nao 0een