The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-07-15

..
And in the settlement OF the peace
we have sought no special reparatiou
for ourselves. but only the restoration
or 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 ver-to-be-forgotten action al
Chateau Thierry, had already taken
place. Our redoubtable soldiers and
marines had already closed the gar
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
nr,1n INC 80 h1 4
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 something new al
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 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 n 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 free peo.
pie at their hearts and with that
vision We're uncrnquerable. Their
very presence brought reinsurance: +:
their hghting 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 At men
to carry such hope and make good
the assurance II 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,
| may speak also OF the pride 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 out OF IL. remembering the mothers
and the sisters. the wives and the lit
tie children at home. They were free
men under arms. not forgetting their
ideals Of duty in the midst OF tasks
Of violence. am proud to have had
the privilege OF being associated with
men and OF calling myself their
leader.
But speak now OF what they
meant TO the men bJ whose sides they
fought and to the people with whom
they mingled with such utter simple.
ity. as friends who asked only to be
OF service. They were for all the
visible embod iment OF America. What
they did made America and all that
she stood for a living reality in the
thoughts not only OF the people OF
France. but also OF tens OF millions
CT men and women throughout all the
toiiing nations OF a world standing
everywhere in peril Of It's freedom and
Of the loss OF everything 1t held dear
in deadly fear that It's bonds were
never to be loosed. Its hopes forever
TO be Knocked and disappointed.
And the coinpulsion OF what they
stood for was upon us who represent
ed America at the peace table. II