Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-18
PARIS AND GOOD FRIDAY
AND A VOICE FROM AFFAIR
Sharpen the Attention That the
World Has Turned on the
Peace Conference

IN THE war that has just passed the
world saw pity armed with a sword
and compassion terrible in armor and
| millions of young men following in
quest through blood and flame. Yet
| grleved voices rise every now and then
to say that the moral principle trans
lated in Christianity has failed
1t hasn't failed. 1t rings in all the
rational criticism that storms from the
four quarters Of the earth upon the
Paris conference. 1t is a fear at the
hearts of all men who. in this crisis, are
yet unwilling to befriend humanity. 1t
watches with countless eyes. Wherever
there are fearless men who think of
others first and in terms of the future as
well as in terms of the present there
are the ambassadors of the eternal and
simple truth uttered in Galice by the
Loneliest of Men.
There is suggestion of cosmic drama
in the fact that the leaders and pioneers
of civilization are reaching the end of
their tasks in Easter Week, in a season
chat always has symbolized light after
darkness, hope after despair, victory
after great loss. Certainly at this phase
of the business dim cry must reach
them from the far timcs--a cry charged
with all the wisdom that the world can
know. The cause of right may be over
whelmcd again. 1t remains to be seen.
Justice, patience and charity - these
guiding principles, anclently proved,
have too often been left like discarded
garments to the humble and the obscure
The leaders of nations have been deluded
with belief that such virtues were i'm
practical. And Europe famed in conse-
quence.
Nowhere in old world politics was
there evidence of a belief that the mcrci-
full are blessed. But it is the mercilcsS
| who are now in the greatest peril and
the greatest agony everywhere.
In the end of every great human ad-
venture the rule of life proposed nine
teen hundred years ago by Man who
was crucificd for it remains as the one
surviving light in darkness-like a "city
set upon HILL" 1t cannot be hid
All the makeshifts and evasions
plotted in its stead have been futile In
herited frauds and schemes and beliefs
have been enthrOned, elevated, venerated,
walled about with armies and blessed by
bishops, and one by one they have gone
down to the dust carrying peoples to tor
ment.
All the spOils that captains and kings
have won by the violation of the simple
| principles of conduct given for human
! guidance at the beginning have become
| a burden in these days of reckOning-a
danger from without or an agency of
| corruption within the nations that hold
! them.
Nothing of it all has the aspect of
permanency or strength. Very properly
one might regard the Paris conference as
! the end of an adventure in cynicism that
has been two thousand years long. Will
that adventure be resumed in the old
fashion with the old belief that there is
an end to the rainbow?
If it is. and if the world must face a
renewal of the anguish through which it
has passed it will be because Voice
that was wise with all experience could
not make itself heard through the men
appointed by destiny to utter it.
truth lies at the bottom of every mans
heart. The hearts of men have been
plowed deep. Before long we shall know
whether the wounds were deep enough
to permit men to see to the bottom
If the Paris conference fails in this
season of fufillment it will be because
humanity has not been hurt enough. Fol
the leaders of nations are not unlike
their people. Kings are in exile and
they have faced firing squads, and states.
men have felt the structures of govern.
ment sway beneath them because they
shared the ignorance and the weaknesses
; of those they ruled or led. They have
been learning what they should have
known at the beginning-that the law Of
compensation is inexorable. 1t never
fails.
All the political philosophy of Europ,
maintained the belief that crimes o.
cruelty, of injustice, of oppression anc
greed might be committed by adroit mel
without fear. The confusion in half 1
dozen nations merely shows that the mel
who have been making history are fac,
to face with the necessity of an account
ing at the end of their road.
1t is fashionable to be cynical abou
the Peace Conference. There are few
men who haven't at some time called th
diplomatsts gathered there gang o
thieves. Yet it is a question whethe
the leaders of the Peace Conference ar
not far more earnest in their efforts t.
be just than the men who sit safely a
home without their responsibilities an
criticize their morals-while they them