Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-02-27

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circle of armies around her? Do you
believe in the aspiration Of the
Czecho-Slovaks and the Jugo-Slavs as
do? Do you know how many pow
ers would be quick to pounce upon
them if there were not the guarantees
of the world behind their liberty?
Have you thought Of the suffering
of Armenia? You poured out your
money to help succor the Arm9nians
after they suffered; now set your
strength so that they shall never suf-
fer again.
The arrangements Of the present
peace cannot stand generation un-
less they are guaranteed by the unit
ed forces of the civilized world. And
If we do not guarantee them, cannot
you see the picture? Your hearts
have instructed you where the bur-
den Of this war fell. 1t did not fall
upon the national treasures, it did
not fall upon the instruments Of ad-
ministration, it did not fall upon the
resources of the nations. 1t fell upon
the victims homes everywhere,
where women were toiling in hope
that their men would come back.
No Doubt Of Verdict
When think of the homes upon
which dull despair would settle where
this great hope is disappointed,
should wish for my part never to have
had America play any part whatever
in this attempt to emancipate the
world. But l talk as if there were
any questions. have no more doubt
Of the verdict of America in this mat
ter than have of the blood that is in
me.
And so, my fellow citizens, I have
come back to report progress and I
do not believe the progress IS going
to stop short Of the goal. The nations
Of the world have set their heads now
to do great thing, and they are not
going to slacken their purpose. And
when l speak Of the nations OF the
world do not speak of the govern
ments Of the world. I speak of the
! pCpplSo WIN COlISJttULC IIiC VI
the world. They are in the saddle and
thew are going to see to it that il their
present governments do not do their
will, some other governments shall.
And the secret is out and the present
governments know it.
There is a great deal Of harmony
to be got out of common knowledge.
There is a great deal Of sympathy to
be got out of living in the same at
mosphere, and except for the differ
ences of languages, which puzzled my
American ear very sadly, l could have
believed l was at home in France or
in Italy or in England when I was on
the streets, when l was in the pres
ence of the crowds, when l was in
great halls where men were gathered
together, irrespective Of class. | did
not feel quite as much at home as |
do here, but felt that now, at any
rate, after this storm of war had
cleared the air, men we're seeing eve
to eye everywhere and these were the
kind Of folks who would understand
what the kind of folks at home would
understand and that they were think
ing the same things.
Manners Very Delightful.
feel about you as l am reminded
4 of story of that excellent witness
and good artist, Oliver HEREFORD, who
one day, sitting at luncheon at his
club, was slapped vigorously on the
back by a man whom he did not know
very well. He said: "Oliver, old boy,
how are you?" He looked at him
rather coldly. He said: II don't
know your name, I don't know your
face, but your manners are very IA
miliar," and I must say that your
manners are very familiar, and let
me add very delightful.
1t is a great comfort for one thing,
to realize that you all understand the
language I am speaking. A friend Of
mine said that to talk through an in
terpreter was like witnessing the COM
pound fracture of an idea. But the
beauty Of it is that, whatever the i'm
pediments of the channel of commun-
ication, the idea is the same; that
it gets registered, and it gets regis.
tered in responsive hearts and recep-
tive purposes.
I have come back for a strenuous
attempt to transact business for lit
tie while in America, but have real
ly come back to say to you, In all
soberness and honesty, that ! have
been trying my best to speak your
thoughts.
When I sample myself, l think ]
find that am typical American,
and If I sample deep enough, and get
down to what is probably the true
stuff OF a man, then have hope that
it is part of the stuff that is like the
other fellows at home
And, therefore, probing deep in my
heart and trying to see the things
that are right without regard to the
things that may be debated as expedi-
ent, feel that am interpreting the
purpose and the thought of America;
and in loving America find I have
Joined the great majority of my lei.
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