Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-31

struggle taught CHe lesson Will
later moved agonized civilization to
reject an indecisiVe peace.
Our Debt
80 much, and vastly more, we
owe of debt to these who won the
peace of union and liberty. 1t is a
debt that has not yet been dis
charged in full; debt on which ev-
cry succeeding generation can hope
only to pay it's installment; for it
obligates US and those after us to
maintain for this people the high
never will lead aught of what they
won for US. Forbidden by the law
of life and institutions, we cannot
stand still. We must always move
forward, along the upward paths
sibie unless we would repudiate the
debt they laid upon us, whose cove
nant they sealed in their blood.
Thus appraising and thus ac-
knowledging our esponsibility, we
will do we'll to consider the partic-
ular burdens it lays upon us. We
and torn, cropping for a way back
to light and opportunity. We find
ourselves, as a people, occupying a
place of vast responsibility in that
world. We stand among the leaders
to whom it looks for guidance and
direction. We are blessed with
wealth and with the institutions of
freedom, with the magnificent ira
dition that comes to us from those
whom today we honor. We cannot
evade, if We would; for mankind is
fallen on times when there is no
hope for it if some communities
seek isolation while others indulge
unrestrained ambition for empire.
Civiliza ton must face disaster if
there shall be denial either of com
mon responsibility, or of essential
equality among sovereign states and
persons.
I'VE have heard much about the
danger of winning the war and los
ing the peace. But is there not, in
ultimate sacrifice, lofty inspiration
to the same s.ngleness 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 evolu-
tons. yet they learned to stand to-
gether in unbroken lines, to move IS
unities, to forget the individual for
the sake of the mass. Surely there
is no reason why peace may not
achieve discipline, unification, di-
rectnes of purpose, as war does. 1t
selfish ends, the same REIMBURSEMENT
of the merely personal qualifications
the same regard for the common in
teTest. I am not counsel1ing surren-
dered independence. Our maintained
freedom is the source Of our might.
Only the American conscience may
command this republic.
1T is, indeed, a very different mat
ter to achieve the discipline that
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, the easy quest of
pleasure, the lust of gains, the as
piration for power and personal sat-
isfaction. 1t is required to Substi-
tute saving for thoughtless spend
ing, thrift for waste, increasing pro-
ductive effort for the simple expe-
and least energy on the job.
Worked During War
During the war, when we were all
intent On the great business of Win
ming, we saw this discipline estab-
lished in mine, factory and farm oc-
equations. We worried not little
about how eXtravagant we were; but.
on the other hand, we all turned in
and worked, and we made those years
duct:veneSS, despite that millions or
workers were in the uniform and 9TH
er millions were engaged in the spe-
cial Industries which war necessl-
tated. With the return of peace this
industrial discipline was thrown
acide: not only in our own country,
but in every country that was in the
war A break down of morale ac-
companied it, and We find ourselves
hating when we ought to move for
ward. We need a patriotism reso-
lue in peace as we'll as a patriotism
aflame in war.
Nowhere were men prepared to
cope with the new problems of peace;
nowhere were they less prepared
than in this country. But If we had
failed to set up, the machinery Tor
liquidation of war conditions, we
nevertheless came out with our pro-
ducing organizations less wrenched
and shaken than was that OF the Eu-
ropean countries. Our soil had not
been invaded; our people had not SUI
fered the physical privations when
were visited upon great communities
elsewhere. We came forth with bet
ter credits. sounder currency, and
ratio of debt far less than those OF
either allied or enemy states.
Though our sorrows seemed meas
touched, and for griefs incurable
there was compensation. We found
the soul of America, we have the re-
born spirit of the republic.
Il know the aching hearts. 1t re-
quireS nearnesS to measure the bur-
den of grief. Only a few days ago
1 saw more than 5000 flag dra ped
collins, tenanted with their heroic
dead. Theirs was mute eloquence
in protesting war, theirs was the su-
preme appeal for wars avoidance.
The way to preserve honor without
material waste and the costlier hui
man sacrifice would be the sllrpass-
ing memorial tribute. We may not
bestow it today, but we may fittingly
resolve that the Influence and exam
pie of our America shall point the
way 20 such lofty achievement.
I'm the inspirations that we may
gain through today's contemplation
of the deeds of these, our heroes OF
all our wars, we are called to look
toward tomOrrow's obligations. Our
country has never failed u measure
up to the demands presented to it in
behalf of humanity. and it never
will When it ceases to meet these
drafts. it will no longer be our coun-
try; it will be. if that time ever
comes. the wretched and decaying
memorial of another civilization
which has failed, of another ambition
for mems happiness which somehow
has gone aWry. We feel, aye, in our
hearts we know. that ours is not to
be that fate. We believe that the
torch will flame more brightly in
and high aloft, and that it's light
will help, at least, to point the way
for humanity on the path of safety
and in the task of building for all
time"
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