Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-03-10
our supreme TASK


construction, readjustment, restora.
tion-aH these must follow / would
like to hasten them. II It will tighten
the spirit and add to the resolution
with which we take up the task, lei
me repeat for our nation, we shall
give no people just cause to make
war upon us, we hold no national
prejudices, we entertain no spirit OF
revenge, we do not hate, we do not
covet, we dream Of no conquest nor
boast of armed prOwess.
If, despite this attitude, war is
again forced upon us, earnestly
hope q way may be found which will
unity our individual and collective
strength and consecrate all America,
materially and spiritually, body and
soul, to national defense. I can Wis.
ion the ideal republic, where every
man and woman is called under the
flag, for assignment to duty, for
whatever service, military or civic,
the individual is best fitted, where
we may call to universal service eV-
cry plant, agency or facility, all in
the sublime sacrifice for country, and
not one penny of war profit shall
insure to the benefit of private in
COuDludLlQu,
but all above the normal shall flow
into the defence chest of the nation.
There is something inherently
wrong, something out of accord with
the ideals of representative democ-
racy, when one portion of our cit
izenship turns it's activities to pri,
vate gain amid defensive war, while
another is fighting, sacrificing or
dying for national preservation.
Unity Of Spirit and Purpose
Out of such universal service will
come a new unity of spirit and pur-
pose, a new confidence and conse-
Grafton, which would make our de-
Tense impregnable, our triumph as
sured. Then we should have little
or no disOrganization of our eco
nomic and commercial system at
home, no staggering war debts, no
swollen fortunes to flout the sacri-
fees of our soldiers, no excuse for
sedition, no pitiable slackerism, no
outrage of treason. Envy and jeal-
ousy would have no soil for their
development and revolu-
tion would be without the passion
which engenders it.
terday must not, however, blind us
to the tasks Of today. War never
left such an aftermath There has
been staggering loss of life, and
measureless wastage Of materials.
Nations are still cropping for return
to stable ways, Discouraging in
debtedness confronts us, like all the
war-torn nations, and these obliga-
tions must be provided for. No
civilization can survive reputation.
We can reduce the abnormal expendi-
lures and we will. We can strike
at war taxation, and we must. We
must face the grim necessity with
full knowledge that the task is to
be solved and we must proceed with
a full realization that no statute
enacted by man can repeal the
inexorable laws Of nature. Our most
dangerous tendency is to expect too
much Of government, and at the
same time do for it too little.
We contemplate the immediate
task Of putting our public house
hold in order We need a rigid and
yet sane economy, combined with
fiscal justice, and it must be at
tended by individual prudence and
thrift, which are so essential to this
trying hour and reassuring for the
future
Reflection Of Wars Reaction
The business world reflects the
disturbances of wars reaction. Here
in flows the life blood of material
existence. The economic mechanism
is intricate and its parts interde-
pendent and has suffered the shocks
and jars incident to abnormal de-
mands, credit inhations and price
The normal balances
have been impaired, the channels of
distribution have been clogged, the
relations of labor and management
have been strained. We must seek
the readjustment with care and
courage. Our people must give and
take. Prices must reflect the reced-
ing fever of war activities.
Perhaps we never shall know the
old levels of wage again, because
war invariably readjusts compen-
sations and the necessaries of life
will show their inseparable reIa-
t1onship, but we must strive for
normalcy to reach stability. All the
penalties will not be light, nor even
ly distributed. There is no way of
them SO. There is no in
slant step from disorder to order,
We must face a condition of grim
reality, charge off our losses and
start afresh. 1t is the oldest lesson
Of civilization. l would like the
to do all it can to miti-
gate them, in understanding, in mu-
tuality Of interest, in common for
the common good our tasks will be
solved. No altered system will work
miracle. Any wild experiment WIN |
only add to . the confusion. OuT
best assurance lies in efficient ad- |
ministration Of our proven system.
From Destruction to Production.
The forward course Of the business |
cycle is unmistakable People are |
turning from destruction to produc-
lion. Industry has sensed the changed |
order, and our own people are turning
% resume their normal, onward way,
rhe call is for productive America to |
90 on. know that congress and the |
will favor every wise
government policy to aid the resump-
ion and encourage continued progress.