The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-09-17
WELCOME TO PERsHING.


John Pershing, and knows full well that he will under
stand that its greeting be measured by the hear
rather than by phonometer There will be an out
pouring of the people next week to shout their welcome
to Gen. Pershing and his First division but in the
time the commandern-chief of the expedtionary forces
rests in Washington as in well-loved home.
What crowded hours have been packed in the two
years and fraction since Gen. Pershing was here con
ferrng with President Wilson and receiving the fna
instructions for the great adventure! The panorams
of tramplng nations unros in Pershing's mind as he
gances back the last years No other American
knows well he what exertons the United States put
forth The crises of the fatefu years 1917 and 1915
deeply engraved in his memory. Better than any
other living man. perhaps he knows the critical points
and places where France and England totered the
abyss, and when and how they escaped destruction.
In his person Gen. Pershing typifes the Ameri
can adventure. He true representative of America
in his calm strength of body and will; in his retcence
during the crisis and his modesty after victory; in his
eternal vigilance of preparation and his bulldog persist
ence in execution; in his ability to think in continents
pcity of truth the basis of Amercanism In all his
relations with foreign authorities he was always happy
because he always sincere and direct With kings
field marshas and private soldiers he equally at home
because he always himself and pretended be moth
ing but American.
The thanks of the government and people will be ex
pressed to Gen. Pershng by Congress- accordance with
timehonored custom in expressing gratitude to those
who have served the republic nobly. Along with the
words of praise and the sword of honor will go the
unspoken but fervent thanks of millions of his fellow
Americans, men, women and children
The thanks to Gen. Pershing are meant also for the
officers and under his command constituting the
greatest army that crossed ocean, the strongest
force ever assembled by the United States and the equal
of the best fighting material that mankind has ever pro-
duced 1t would be nvidous to claim that the American
lads were the best fighters in the war; when on one side
of them were Brtshers and on the other side French
men, The annals of warfare will perish and mankind
Will know war only as tradition before the valor of
the French and British troops will be forgotten 1t is
sufficient praise for the Americans to say that they
est nations.
Is the United States giving its soldier boys all that
is rghtuy due them? Are they in the way of receiving
something more than words of praise? The world never
witnessed splendid outpourng of pure unselfsh
ness than the action of these lads in sprngng to arms
at the call of their country They not fully grown
they have become men under the stress of war The
Did ties are broken and the old associations are changed
Inc returning soldiers entitled to the practical help
If the government in finding their place in life Those
who need instruction in learning trade or professions
should receive it by the simplest and most effective meth
3D. without red tape financial charge Those who wish
IN opportunity to settle upon farm should be given
'ubhc land at a special reduced price on long terms
Those who need work should be provided with without
lelay.
lhese are the men who have made the plans of Co
'reSS ana the President effective Without them the
United States would now be taking orders from tho
emperor of the world, Wilhelm H. Their willingness to
70 down to death rather than lower the Stars and Strpe
living, breathing truth brought home to the naonIo
" the presence of the victorious commander and the
oyS themselves With them went $4,000 other lads who
leep in France and glory, The Stars and Stripes float
triumphant not only Pennsylvania avenue above the
blenders and the defended but above the graves of the
eepers in France, evidence of their contribution to
heir cOuntry's Immortality
Welcome home, defenders! May the republic remem-
er your Valor as long the flag floats Washington
ost.
The allies are now trying to blockade Roumania into