The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-08-08
Dare We Break the
Heart of the World?'

seize it eagerly, to cherish and pro-
tect it, to hold it as our dearest pos
session? Or are we, the People, 10 be
led astray by false prophets and to
repudiate the gift and its bearer?
In his own words: Dare we re-
ject it and break the heart of the
world?"
Dare we lay ourselves open to what
amazed historians of the future shall
say to US? Or shall we gain ever
lasting honor for ourselves?
A brief time will tell
1t was a gorgeous spectacle, that
sunny Tuesday afternoon, when the
Presidents vessel came steaming into
New York harbor, with battleships
and destroyers escorting her, sea
planes and dirigible circling over
head, the guns of the old forts crash
| ing out their salutes of twenty-one
shots, the bands on countless small
craft filling the air with glad music,
and flags everywhere ripping color
fully in the soft breeze. Quite such
a spectacle--even if regarded merely
as a show--could not be recalled by
those whose duties as chroniclers Of
events call them to witness many pub
lie demonstrations.
But there were two things about
this event which were recognized at
once by these same observers: first,
the genuineness of the greeting, and,
next, the obvious happiness of the
President.
"There seems something different
about this welcome, something more
sincere" said someone aboard our
steamer, which carried the CORE
spondents and New York's municipal
reception party. The remark reached
the ears of man who looms large in
the life of that city and of the coun-
try.
"There is something different" he
said. Gall this"-with a sweeping
gesture-"is not so much for Wood
row Wilson as for what his home
coming signifies. His return to Amer
lea means that this war is over, that
peace has actually been established.
1t means that my business can now go
ahead full tilt. 1t means that we,
with our resources and industry and
inventiveness, can, if we have sense
enough to grasp our opportunity to
keep this present peace permanently,
become the actual leader-nation of the
world. We can lead in production, in
commerce-and in morals, if | may
phrase it thus. We have set an ex-
ample for all the world in going into
a war for the sake of right alone;
now we can set an example in show
ing how to avoid all war, for the sake
of the worlds future happiness. /
say, by all means we should ratify
the Peace Treaty with its League of
Nations Inclusion"
Thus spoke Big Business-Legiti-
mate Big Business-as to the League.
Through marine glasses, as our
small boat neared the liner carrying
the President, his figure could be seen
high up on the bridge; then, as we
came nearer, his face. / had seen
him many times, from the period when
he was just professor at Princeton,
up until this July day; but had new
er seen him--nor had others who
knew him well--so radiantly happy.
His face bore smile that seemed to
indicate joy at being home, freedom
from care, and satisfaction at work
we'll done. And in this same smile,
and in his whole bearing, there seemed
to be a confidence that the People
would stand with him, as he had stood
by them and will stand by them.
An unceasing wave of ardor fol-
lowed the President through thousands
of singing school children in the
streets of Hoboken, then through tens
of thousands of promenaders and
shoppers and hurrying business-folk