The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-07-22

defeated. Servia crushed, Italy hum
bled, Roumania ruined. The suffering
the slaughter. the deportations, tn
unspeakable outrages perpetrated up
on the inhabitants Of conquered area
seemed to testify to the supremacy o.
evil. The first battle Of the Marn,
was the one great obstacle TO this con
clusion. In the light of revealed fact,
we know now that evil did not triumph
over right II was not the supremacy
Of Prussian arms but treachery in the
ranks of her foes that brought her
victories. Honor did not lose, the good
was not overcome The might Of des.
potism never won a real victory over
the hosts of freedom. After the
American army was moved into the
line ii never retreated and never failed
to advance. The might Of Kings could
not stand before the might Of democ-
racy
But if America is to lead, her people
must be true to her ancient ideals.
The world has rejected leadership
sought to be imposed by force. II has
broken il down and trampled it under
foot. The day of Alexander, Of Caes-
ar, Of Napoleon has passed. The day
of Washington and of Lincoln has
come. Leadership will henceforth not
be by force but by service. And what
is true in world affairs is true in
domestic affairs. The nation will not
long submit to any dictatorship nor
long pay tribute by whomsoever levi
ed Here too service must be the
standard, applied alike to all individ-
uals and all stations. No selfish inter-
est, whatever its source will long be
allowed to interfere with progress. In
our economic life as in our political
life, progress comes from variety. A
division of labor has given to the indi-
vidual larger economic existence.
But division of labor presupposes
that each division. performs its part.
By choosing to adopt it the individual
imposes upon himself new duty tow
ard society and receives in return a
new economic power and vastly in
creased economic liberty. No one de-
MES that he has the right to withdraw
but il is equally clear that he cannot
have a right to use his position to levy
tribute. Progress and the public well
fare do not line in that direction. The
individual is not obliged to make
Certainly no one will force
il on him. But the American people
desire progress and when they come,
as come they must to a comprehension
that all kinds of selfishness and tyran-
ny interfere with it, they will discard
their advocates as they discarded the
leadership Of Toryism, notification
and secession. After the Almighty
had created the first man He blessed
him and laid on him the first command
to replenish the earth and subdue it.
From that time there has been, can be,
no escape from the obligation to work.
In the subduing Of nature man has
'ound character, progress, prosperity
and civilization. To follow the truth,
hat is always success.
Faith in the People an American Ideal
Faith in the people is an American
deal. Not faith in their ignorance or
heir prejudice. If men are only sell
ish the war was in vain. We might
ust as well accept the Prussian stand
Ird and each seize whatever he have
he power to hold. But a faith that
men act with knowledge rejecting the
alse, accepting the true, proud not Of
ain but Of sacrifice.
An Americal ideal is equality. Not
hat all are equal in degree, there are
iffering glories, as Of sun. and moon ,
nd star, but all are equal in kind. toll
rating no class distinction, no privil-
ge, save that which comes from SER
ice, no plutocrat, no proletariat, no
uthority save that which is derived ,
rom the consent Of the people.
An American ideal is peace. Not ,
hat peace which is wrought by the I
Drce of the sword, not that peace !
-hich is bought by a cringing servi- :
lde. but that peace which abides with q
istice, which follows the mutual re- +
uirement Of scrupulous observance '
nd discharge Of all obligations.
There are others. important, COM c
cling. but these indicate the line of a
ivance They are not yet realities 5
1t they are ideals toward which prog
- Is being made. To them we can 2
ot yet read our title clear but we can v
,el out the beginnings Whether We u
.ize the opportunity to lead in a great S
ivance depends solely on ourselves. s.
e have the resources, the power, the y
aterial force. The only question con- :
rms our moral force. What leader a
in shall We follow We have come r,
rough adversely. Can We bear pros a
.rity. Are we 70 turn back toward G,