Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-02-19

~ of making the
ssIssiz- world safe for
civilization is more serious than
was the question of making 1t
safe for democracy four years ago.
If there was reason for sacrince
then, there is reason for 1t now.
If there was cause for a mill
tary morale then, there is need OF an
industrial morale today. Freedom
called men to fight and die that au-
tocracy might not rule and ruin the
world. The issue now Is not only
freedom, it is life-the chance to eat
to be warm-to sleep, and tired
wounded, worn and weary people face
the tomorrows with little faith ana
much fear.
went to Europe to see for my
self. was unattached, a free agent.
I was not a member Of a Mission
I had no preconceived opinions.
1 sought facts-the human facts. l
looked into the eyes OF the people,
walked the streets, talked with men,
women and children, rich and poor
humble and powerful, journalists,
bankers, lawyers, preachers, actors
government officials, coal miners, team
sters, factory hands, labor leaders, RAD
icals, conservatives children or the
street and women at their washtubs,
farmers and peasants, tenants anu
landlords. cross-examined official
records and pursued official figures.
listened to opinions. heard speeches.
interviewed the streets, listened TO the
conversations of the cafes and the talk
of the cheap restaurants. l knew tnat
few Americans would have the chance
to 90 to Europe to see and hear for
themselves, that the millions OF Amer
lea would be compelled to depend upon
the ewes and ears Of others for in
formation concerning problem OF
world importance, a problem that IS
hound to involve us-we are part OF
It. No country is Independent. Ma
lions are interdeperdent to the extent
and for the same reasons individuals
are.
only Hope Is In America.
Europe looks to America for saliva
zion. as q dying man looks to COD Tor
mercy. We are her only hope. II
the United States adopts the policy OF
leaving Europe alone, on the theory
that we have done enough for her,
Europe will be plunged into the saw
agery of revolution. 1t is faith IN
America, belief that America will sus-
tain her, help her carry the awful load
that is bending and almost breaking
the back of weak and crippled Europe,
that is keeping her from succumbing.
This faith is about the only thing Eu-
rope has left.
What is America? 1t isn't the build
inys and banks, the railroads, the
houses and the land, it is the one hun
dred and ten million people of whom
YOU are one. SO Europe's plea is adj
dressed to you The prayers of her
hungry children are petitions to you
Americas policy-the answer of the
United States. will come from the
Judgment of the people. No man OF
woman can escape the responsibility
Each of us will contribute to. the de
cision. 1t isn't a hypothetical case
we are called upon to decide-it is
question involving tho life of human
beings, men. women and children who
are blood of our blood, part of The
great world family-the human race
Shall we close down our shops, fac
tories, mills and mines, bolt the doors
stop production at a time millions Of
human beings are crying to us fol
help? Can we listen to the thin
bony hands of children knocking a
our doors and sit in our comfortable
homes, leaving them to die on oul
threshold? No call to arms ever ha(
so much right back of it, SO much hu
mainly as the call to work has to
day.
The house of Europe has been OF
fire. 1t has been wrecked. 1t is SCARED
and charred-a ruin. The Cupboard
are empty, the people demoralized ant
sick. Winter is attacking them. Hun
ger has a strange hold. They are il
rags. They must rebuild, and the.
haven't the material for the work
They turn to us. Their condition j
their plea, our condition, our obliga
ton. If the golden rule ever had an,