Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-18
The Structure Will Remain

The Structure Will Remain
However, there may be other ques-
tions of detail, questions connect cd
with replacement questions connected
WITH cruisers. which are not connect ed
with or required for fleet action. But
those are matters for consideration by
the technical experts. and however
they be decided. they do not touch the
main outline of the structure which
the United States government desires
erected and which we earnestly wish
TO help them in erecting.
That structure stands. as it seems 10
me. clear and firm. and l cannot help
thinking that in the broad outline
whatever may happen in the course ot
these discussions during the next few
weeks, that structure will remain as
y was presented by its original arChi-
tects. for the admiration and for the
use of mankind.
have little more to say except tbs:
1t is easy to estimate in dollars or in
pounds, shillings and pence the saving
TO the taxpayer of each of the ma
TONS concerned which the adoption of
TINS scheme will give. 1t is easy to
show that the relief is great. 1t is
easy to show that indirectly IL will.
as | hope and believe, greatly stimu-
late industry. national and interna-
t ,.n1 and do MUCH to diminish the
6ihioulties under which every civilized
government is at this time iaboriug,
All that can be weighed. measured,
courted; all that is n matter of t~ures
but there is something in this scheme
which is above and beyond numerical
which goes to the rooe. which is CON
ccrned with the highest international
morality.
This scheme after all-what does it
do? 1t makes idcalism a practical
proposition. II takes hold of the dream
when reformers. poet. publicists. even
potentates. as we heard the other say,
nave from time to time put before
manklnd as the goal to which human
cndeavor should aspire.
/ A narrative of all the attempts made.
or an the schemes advanced f.r d.
mlnishlng the sorrows of war, is
me iancholv one. Some fragments were
.ald before YOU by our chairman on
Saturday. They were not eXhilaratinG
TheV showed how easy it is to make
PROFESSIONS and how difficult Il Is to
carry those professions into effect.
WHAT makes this scheme a landmark
is, that combined with the profession
is the practice. that in addition. TO the
Expression. the eloquent expression Of
good intentions. in which the speeches
OF men of all nations have been rich,
that a way has been found in which.
IN the most striking fashion. in a man
her which must touch the imag inati"n
or everybody which must come home
70 the ldullest brain and the hardest
neart. the government of the United
''tcS mas SHOWN It's intention NOT
merely to saw that peace is a very
good thing, that war is horrible. but
there is way by which wars can
really be diminished. by which the
| hurdens of peace. almost as intoler-
able as the burdens of war. can really
he HghtGned for the populat ions of
me world And in doing that. In o.
ing 1t in Nthe manner in which they
have done II. in striking the imagiHa-
tion not merely of the audience they
were addressing. not merely of the
great people TO whom they belonged.
! but of the whole civilized world: in
| doing that they have, believe ,nc. made
the first and opening day of this con-
eress one of the landmarks n human
| civilization.