The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-07-11

| bodng 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 accomplish
ed alike for their morale and their
physical safety. That first, never-to'
be.forgotten action at ChateauThierry,
had already taken place. Our redoubt-
able soldiers and marines had already
closed the gap the enemy had succeed
ed in opening for their advance upon
Paris-had already turned the tide of
battle back towards the frontiers of
France and begun the route that was
to save Europe and the world There
after the Germans We're to be always
forced back back, were never to thrust
successfully forward again.
When America Went In.
And yet there was no confident hope.
Anxious men and women, leading
spirits of rance, attended the celebra-
ton of the Fourth of July last year in
Paris out of generous courtesy-with
no heart for festivity little zest for
hope. But they came away with some
thing new at their hearts They have
themselves told us so. The mere sight
of our men-of their vigor Of the con.
fidence 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
added Gnirif tn
did-made every one who saw them
that memorial day realize that some
thing had happened that was much
more than a mere incident in 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 those spirit
ed men spoke Of something more than
bodily vigor. They carried the great
ideals of a free people at their hearts
and with that vision We're unconquer-
able. Their very presence brought
reinsurance; their fighting made vic.
tory certain. They We're recognized
as crusaders and as their thousands
swelled to millions their strength was
seen to mean salvation. And they
were fit men to carry such a hope and
make good the assurance it forecast
Finer men never went into battle; and
their officers We're worthy of them.
This is not the occasion upon which
to utter a eulogy of the armies Ameri.
ca sent to France, but perhaps. since |
am speaking of their mission. | may
speak also of the pride | shared with
every American who saw or dealt with
them there. They We're the sort of men
America would wish to be represented
by, the sort of men every American
would wish to claim rs fellow country.
men and comrades in great cause. !
They were terrible in battle, and gentle |
and helpful out of it. remembering the
mothers and the sisters, the wives and |
the little 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
mad the privilege OF being associated
with them and of calling myself their
leader.
But | speak now of what they meant
o the men by whose sides they fought
md to the people with whom they min.
sled with such utter simplicity. as
riends who asked only to be of service.
They were for all the visible embodiment
u America. What they did made
america and all that she stood for a
living reality in the thoughts not only
# the people of France, but also of
ems of millions of men and women
throughout all the toiling nations of
world standing everywhere in peril of
is freedom and the loss of everything
held dear, in deadly fear that its bonds
we're never to be loosed It's hopes for
Yer to be Knocked and disappointed
Duty at Peace Table.
And the compulsion of what they
TODD for was upon us who represented
america at the peace table. 1t was our
uty to see to it that every decision we
ook part in contributed. so far as we
'ere able to influence it. to quiet the
ears and realize the hopes of the peo- ,
les who had been living in that shadow.
he nations that had come by our as
lstance to their freedom. It was our ,
uty to do everything that it was within ,
lIr power to do TO make the triumph
freedom ana OF right lasting tri-
ihph IN the assurance of which men
ilght everywhere live without fear.
olu arrangements OF every kind
-ood IN the way-promises which gov
had made to one another in ,
u'S1 wy" niisnl anu rlsht We're I
as without restraint. Engagements ,
II.