Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-11
ARMISTICE DAY

ARMlsTIcE DAY
Armistice Day, 1918, three years
ago, recurs to mind. Can we ever
forget the blessed relief from the
stra4i, of that most awful war when
the clutch of the death grapple was
loosened? The joy of that day was
not dimmed by a full comprehension
of the chaos. which inevitably must
follow the awakening from the horri-
BILE delirium. This ordeal is now
seen to be tremendous. In the reac-
ton from spiritual exaltation and
desperate rage much that is sordid
and depressing has been in evidence.
Through it all, however brave
hearts have carried on" humble and
distinguished services have been rem
dered; the weller has been relieved.
the debris has been rapidly cleared
away; men have begun to function
normally; the foundations of benevo-
lence and unselfishness have not
dried at their source; the world
again lifts its head from the shame
Of its relapse.
Love has not replaced hate in the
breasts of all mankind, greed and
lust are yet rampant, and those who
traffic in them are legion, yet even
they stand in the light of the as
constructed the engine of his own de-
struction and named it war; that he
has conceived and brought into eXis-
tence the tortures Of hell of his own
making; that his feet were providcn-
which there would have been no re-
turning; that no nation, no sect, no
clique, no oligarchy of wealth or 9TH
er power. has been permitted to stand
aloof; all were caught in the snare
of their own conception.
Surely such comprehension will be
present in the thoughts of the multi
tudes observing the two minute ST.
lence at noon, today. Is not that
something gained? Is it possible that
1t can go for naught; that it will not
persist in haunting the thoughts of
those who may be subjected to the
contagion of the war spirit? Shall
the pomp and glory of war remain
in the light Of such a revelation. Can
man walking erect in the image of
God ever again impose trust in arma-
ments, in inventions of his own brain,
in the power of boarded wealth?
Surely not if he but uses the facul-
ties with which he Is endowed, the
intelligence that gives him dominance
over the beasts of the field.
To this great land certain phases
of the revelation were emphasized,
this country which invites the peo-
pies Of the earth to better under
Standing and united effort in seeking
solution Of problems other than by
the insanely futile arbitrament Of
war. which solves nothing. Here 1t
was that war placed man Of all
breeds. all sects, regardless of racial
prejudice, in the ranks marching I'M
der one flag and revealed each to the
other and commanded respect one for
the other. No other people were so
blessed and as consequence no 9TH
err people are under so great obliga-
ton. No other people were so spared
in material resources and left so
strong for meeting the conflicts of
peace.
Those may not be settled without
trial to mems souls. testing the finest
courage to the utmost. Peace can
bring no oblivion to trouble but 1t
can fit man for the supreme tests
without subjecting him to conditions
lower than those of the brute. The
marching thousands on this day, the
ranks of the veterans Of the war may
well be sobered by realization that
as great principles as those for which
they fought claim their devotion in
peace. that ordeals which try mems
souls are yet before them, that hav-
d Ing qualified as defenders of that
which man holds most dear their
campaign has but begun and the con-
fidence besotten of their prowess IN
war instinctively turns to them for
support.
What a wonderful world may this
be for which they once went forth to