Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-30

mas bttn ODened. we DO KNOW ana
| we take pride that our sons and
brothers afforded them the oppor-
tunity.
symbols Of Blood and Fire
Thus we see that. whether in our
civil struggle or in the World War,
the triumph of the right inevitably
implies gains that sweep far beyond
the immediate issue. Those heroes
of the Civil War which sleep about
us here wrote that lesson in symbols
of blood and fire. where all men
might read, And they did yet more.
They taught the lesson of n great
community making its fight for free
dom an exclusive business of the
whole people
Never before had there been an
example, on such scale. of the en-
tire human and industrial power of
people being cast into the common
cause. Wars had largely been pro-
fessional affairs, in the hands of
trained people. waged by conscripts
whose knowledge or concern for the
cause they served was of necessity
limited and doubtful. Here was found
nation which for four years gave
its very all of human resources, of
industrial power, of faith in its mis-
sion and its future, in order that il
might maintain an ideal. 1t accom-
plished that which experts and econ
omists decried as the impossible. 1t
detied the edict that economic exhaus-
ton and financial disabilities must
prevent n decisive victory.
lt demonstrated that the wealth
and resources of n nation lie not in
acres and bushels. in bank balances
md in fax 4
going business. but rather in the
sinews and souls of it's inspired pep-
pie. And there in the example of our
fratcrnal struggle taught the lesson
which later moved agonized civiliza-
ton to reject an indecisive peace.
So much, and vastly more, we owe
debt to these who won the peace Of
union and liberty. 1t is debt that
has not yet been discharged in full
debt on which every succeeding
generation can hope only to pay it's
installmcnt; for il obligates us and
those after us to maintain for this
people the high estate which they
established. We never will yield
aught of what they won for us. For
hidden by the law of life and inStitu-
tiOnS. we cannot stand still. We must
always move forward, along the up
ward paths they marked for us. No
less is possible unless we would re-
pudiate the debt they laid upon US.
whose covenant they sealed in their
blood.
L. :. Cannot Evade Leadership
Thus appraising and thus acknowl
edging our responsibility, we will do
we'll to consider the particular bur-
dens it lays upon us. We look about
us on world troubled and torn.
cropping for way back to light ana
opportunity. We find ourselves. as Il
people, occupying n place of vast re-
spOnsibility in that world. We stand
among the leaders to whom it looks
for guidance and direction.
We are blessed with wealth. with
the institutions of freedom, with the
magnificent tradition that comes to
us from hose whom today we honor.
We cannot cvade. if we would: for
mankind is fallen on times when there
is no hope for it if some cOmmuni-
ties seek isolation while others in
dulge unrestrained ambition for en-
pire. Civilization must face disaster
if there shall be denial either of COM
mon responsibility, or of essenuut
equality among sovereign states and
persons.
We have heard much about the
danger of winning the war and losing
the peace. But is there not. in the
example of those who made the ulu-
mate sacrifice. lofty inspiration to
the same singlcness of purpose. the
same readiness TO sink individual for
the sake of general good. that moved
them? Though they were not trained
TO military forms and ovOlutiOns, yet
they learned to stand together in un-
broken line. to move aS unltieS, to
forget the individual for the sakc' of
the mass.
Un'fiCatiOn in Peace
Surely there is no reason why peace
NAV not achieve discipline. unitlca-
tion. directness of purpose, as war
does. 1t requires the same submerg-
cncc of selfish ends, the same relln-
uuishmPnt of the merely personal
qualifications. tre same regard for the
common interest. | am not counsel
ing surrendered independence. Our
maintained freedom is the source OF
our might. Only the American con-
science may command this republic.
1t is. indeed. very different mat
ter to achieve tn" ulSClpllne luuI
peace demands There is not the
urge of instant danger, the rigor OF
authority TO overcome that danger.
1t is needful to bring into subjuga-
tion the thoughtless mind, the indul-
gent disposition, tho easy quest of
Measure, the lust of gains. the as
piration for power and personal sat
sfaction. 1t is required to substitute
saving for thoughtless spending. thrift
for waste. unceasing productive ef
fort for the simple expcdient of spend
ing the shortest time and least en-
crgy on the job.
During the war. when we were all
intent on the great business of win
ming. we saw this disciplin" estab-
lished in mine. factory and farm oc-
cupations. We worried not little
about how cXtravagant "" we're; but.
I