Evening journal., 1919-04-03
THESE THESE FOUGHT FOUGHT TN TN
BLOODY FIELDS
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who have helped TO overthrow the auto
cratic power Of imperial Germany. You
are to be commended for your part In
the war. On two occasions you have
had letters OF praise from superior ON
GERS. which shows you were, and are.
worthy Of the uniform. IL was what
we expected Of. men from Wilmington
Tonight's celebration Is the FIRST step
in our appreciation of the sacrifice you
have made.
II wish TO give credit TO the Red
Cross work OF Mrs, eanton and her
associates. II Is pleasure 10 recall
how they made every effort 10 provide
YOU soldiers with comforts.
II extend 10 you all a hearty ana
sincere welcome and wish you every
success in life and a long life In which
your splendid services viii DO remen-
bered."
Former Judge Hastings, the second
speaker, told the returning heroes
II feel honored indeed at beins eS-
tended the privilege OF addressing you
on this occasion. II ! can say word
Ia YOU men that will show the aprre-
citation felt by your friends and ~ the
civ. l will feel that l have done q
re- service Meetings sush as ihese
ara icing held all over the country, ano
VIII continue 10 be held so l0ng rs a
single man engaged In this war lves.
= remember that day In August, IVA
wien The papers lntlmated tilt a
world war was beginning, was at the
home OF Chief Justice Pennewlll at the
time. We could not believe that IN
these days when Christianity was sup
posed 10 prevail, that there would be
a war involving the great nations OF
the world. As the days passed, the
number OF nations drawn into the con-
nict became greater. Fortunately for
US Il was In Europe, with little or no
chance Of involving America. Was our
policy TO let Europe take care OF her I
troubles. and we would take care OF
our own.
"The troubles multiplied for Amer
lea. We kept strict neutrality for a
ong time. Then we read the story OF
Belgium. As the crimes charged
against Germany multiplied. and the
upon our own property
rights and the lives OF our citizens In
Americans began 10 awaken.
When diplomatic relations were broken
on, we did not even then believe that Il
would mean the Transporting OF Ameri-
can citizens TO France. ] didn't see
how we could do much In the face Of
the difficulties Of getting men over
there.
"As we heard the cry from bleeding
Belgium, from suffering France and
from brave England we realized that ,
unless America supplied men as well as
arms and money, the enemy army would
crush the void. Whatever criticism
may BE- brought against the Wilson ad-
ministration, u will always remain
living tribute 10 that administration
that Il transported three million men
10 France In time Of a breylty histor0,
has never before recorded. and we
nope. VIII never need 10 record again
Where America nnds liberty and
justice at stake, Amerlca responds WITH
all she's got, She was ready 10 give
every man, black or white, resardl, as
OF age. America has never been de-
feated and she did not propose TO taste
defeat now.
when we got over there. FnTland
was ready 10 give way here and there
In the first experience Americans had
when they Joined the French t-oons !
the French ofllcer ordered them To fsV |
back. The world knows the answer
1--WE OF America know no such word
as retreat" The Germans learned for
the FIRST time that they were up against
a new kind OF people. Through the
Kaiser and his officers. the &c -mans
had made fun Of American prospects Of
getting American soldiers over there.
Or OF their nghtinS II they did set
here. They found they were mistaken. /
America never fights for selfish pur-
poses. only for principle. Every man
lnew that America was looking for
lin to do his duty, to so forward. not
backward.
Last year was going over the state.
skiing people 10 buy War Savings
'tamps, Liberty Bonds and to help the
Ted Gross; without the Red Cross the
var could moi hsve been won at all. II ,
old them at that time, do as much az
ou may. you can never do as much as
he boy who has gone over there.
hould you sell your shoes and go bare
rot to buy bonds. you cannot compare
win the man who shouldered gun and
aced the most deadly enemy the world
las ever seen.
oHn VI you were lett over There.
'Nth all our hearts, we welcome those
MO nave returned. We are proud OF U
YOU as true American soldiers. That Z
neans more than bravery. hav. W
ns.ensu S,Sa. win great pride, your con- m
= 80 anoul me city streets have not in
s,ngie iucism. have not seen c,
Wy '.-c,, cs.ion- You have been rentloros-, " n
ms Is the first real onnor,rn,,,' a.
eoloren man has ,lad 10 sho,,, h,s wv
american worth. Since the Cty,, We us y y
you nave been increasing vo,,s Mdr' .
tunitles to become good krner'c.1p uplor- n.,r z Z
zens- THIS was your first opportnnI,v Ii,v !, :