Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-12
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He VIII Proudly Resnond.

1
Lincoln, Feb. 9.--To the Editor of
The Bee: We have. witnessed during
recent months a continuous repeti-
ton of ovations in honor of a fellow
countryman. The extent and char
acter of these ovations have never
been accorded any other American
| IN all OF our history. We have noted
the spontaneous enthusiasm that has
dominated every demonstration. We
have not overlooked the ever-recur-
! ring expressions of confidence-of
admiration-of prophecy forecasting
this mans future relation to the af-
fairs of the nation. We have watched
| the growth Of enthusiasm for the
man and the enlarging conception of
his achievement.
| Yet, through it all--through, these
months of homage. we have noted
the simplicity of this man. We are
| impressed with his discretion. We
are forced to acknowledge his quail
| ties of leadership. Through all the
continuous round of hearty, un-
bounded acclaim he has borne HIM
self with extreme modesty. Not once
| has he given utterance to a single
! expression that could be construed
as even remotely bidding for public
| favor. Not once among all his re-
| sponses and addresses has he made
! an assertion that has met with the
| slightest criticism from those who
! could wish, for personal reasons, that
his popularity might diminish.
His expressions in many parts of
| our country have touched numerous
and varied interests, Yet his obser-
| vations have been clear and analyti-
| cal-his opinions logical and force
| full. Not once has his strong, gen.
teel, manly personality failed to
! make an impress. Wherever his Of
ficial journeyings have taken him,
| confidence and admiration have in
creased.
A rare spectacle this-without
precedent and without parallel. John
j. Pershing, the man, bids fair to
overshadow Rershing, the general
has in effect already done so. The
countless thousands who had knowl-
edge only of Pershing, the military
leader-the greatest general proba
bly,, that the greatest of all wars un-
covered-havS warmed their hearts
to Pershing, the citizen and patriot
Whatever the achievement of
American arms, he has accorded full
glory and honor to the rank and file
of fighting men and to the loyal, un
stinted support from the patriotic
home folks. He has with fine mod
esty kept his own great part in the
winning of the war in the back
ground, and has generously shared
the hOnors with all who had a part,
however limited, in the victory. This
is the evidence of true greatness.
The grasp which Pershing has
on the problems Of international
scope-problems that directly and
vitally affect our welfare-has not
escaped the notice of our statesmen
and our people. And always his
viewpoint and conclusions are strik-
ingly American. His tact as a dip
lomat, his earnestness as an advo-
cate and his decisive judgment as a
leader, have claimed the respect. OF
all nations and the confidence and
boundless admiration of our own.
In view Of the demonstrated eff
cheney and greatness of Pershlng,
the man, as we'll as Pershing, the
general, is there citizen within the
boundaries of this commonwealth,
or any other, who would not proudly
accord him support, with the hope
jIIdt llc llldS ltSNlNo tlAS 1'OttAAt-''NAN'-
for president?
1t is to the credit of the republican
party that other men of ability and
experience are avowed candidates
for this very high honor, but no
other has been mentioned as a posi-
bility who is possessed of such
combination of seasoned abilities
and tested strength as General
misunderstanding of NebraskaA
Let us not underestimate the ma
ture nor the size of the task that
confronts these United States in the
readjustment of nations, nor call to
this grave responsibility man un-
tried, nor lacking in the qualities and
exnericnce necessary to accomplish
ment. FRANK D. TOMSON,
Editor, "The ShoNhorn in America" :