Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-01
The Year Not Wasted


M oST Of us who try to understand the
IVA enormous work of reconstruction and
REIMBURSEMENT that must be done in the world
and in this country are tempted sometimes
to regard 1919 as year wasted There is
so much to be done and apparently so little
has been done. This is a mistaken view
however. Really We have made satisfactory
and encouraging progress. Our most valu-
able achievements have been in the avoid
ance OF mistakes and escape from disasters
which threatened and (which might have been
fatal to our prosperity. Most OF us have
been wearied, and at times disguised, by the
quantity or talk In Congress and In the news
papers. Yet, talk was necessary, not only
10 relieve speakers and writer's with pressure
OF IDEAS and words requiring outlet, but to
develop actual and useful thought from many
differing standpoints We were forced on
untrodden ground and to meet situations for
which there were no precedents We have
been compelled to feel our way, almost inch
by inch, when blunders would have been IT.
retrleyable. In the year we have had much
intelligent and informing discussion, along
with the unavoidable froth and most Of us
who have taken the trouble to think have
modified and amended our opinions. We are
Shaping compromises which promise we'll for
humanity and have put away from us some
rash and dangerous extremes Of purpose and
belief
The destructive elements<of the world had
planned for this year now gone by. 1t is evil
dent that they had prepared carefully and
cunnlngly to take advantage Of natural con-
fusion, unrest and reaction and inStigatc up-
heaVais to shatter the foundations Of orderly
society, government and civilization They
nave been baffied everywhere but in Russia
and in this country have been revealed as
pitifully feeble in numbers and influence
compared with the great body of citizenship
"a few score here, thousand or so there
min md
strikes in England came and went Here
we have had the steel and coal-mine strikes
the attempts to destroy the efficiency of the
police and ffremen. All have passed with
out serious disturbance OF our general peace
or impairment Of our stability
Probably as all the facts and inside history
become known we will realize that we have
come through critical and dangerous year
wonderfully we'll. Already there are dis
tihct' signs that the worst is gone and that
we are working back toward normal A fair
peace treaty, restoration of our RAILWAYS to
healthy conditions, gradual lowering Of liv-
ing costs and resumption Of trade through
natural channels are among the promises for
early In 1920. We seem to be through with
the preliminary clearing Of the ground re-
moVal or loose theories and excited schemes
ana to be getting an American basis of
common sense, conservatism, definite prog
ress and honest consideration for each others
rights. AS in 1918, we demonstrated our
strength In the new game OF war; in 1919
we have proved our ability to meet calmly
ana steadily strange and alarming conditions
ana to handle problems brought to us from
Worldwide political and social earthuuakes
lhus far we have proved this republic to
he the surest, sanest and strongest or all
human creations and the best hope of all the
nations. If present indications are to be
trusted, We will assert our leadership even
more strongly i'm 1920 and prove ourselves
worthy of the confidence in our government
ana character we have taught the world to
hold.