The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-13

the hopes oil the WOrlu ana 10 Justliy
the amending sacrifices which humanity
had made. There had been, throughout
the period of the war, such moving
spirit of patriotism, and all sorts ana
conditions of people had been drawn
SO closely together by their mutual
service that there was no general recog-
milton of the possibilities of serious di-
visions of sentiment. 1t was common
saying that we were no longer Republi-
cans or Democrats-that We were only
Americans. This psychology had been
carefully inculcated and had been ama2-
ingly effective during the hazardous
period through which the country was
passing. The general public did not
either know or sense the dangers that
lurked behind the shifting ofFauthority.
Immediately following the election OF
the Republican House and Senate N
1918, the evils which might readily have
been foreseen, developed with astound-
ing celerity and became more virulent
and menacing with each advancing
hour. The slumbering opposition to
President Wilson, which had burned
like an inward consuming fire in the
breasts of the Republican leaders, burst
forth Immediately after that disastrous
election. Nothing that ingenuity could
suggest or envy could invent was omit
ted in the attempt to weaken the in
fluence Of President Wilson at home
ana abroad. Every element of our pop
ulation which was supposed to have
some grievance was appealed TO by
propaganda of the most sordid charact-
er. Racial animosities, old world hatreds,
and ancient quarrels We're deliberately
revived; and large elements OF our
population were taught to think IN
terms Of countries other than America.
say, without equivocation, that the
campaign against Mr.. Wilson that was
carried on, beginning with the Republi-
can success in 1918, was not only the
most ignoble in the history Of American
politics, but il had disntegrating ef-
feet upon American solidarity with in
calculable consequences of EVIL. The
President, engaged in the most sacred
task ever allotted to man, was the VIC
tim OF every slander and vile accusation
that could be suggested by malice or
envy; and yet he went steadily forward
with his great work, carrying it to COM
pletion and bringing it home in triumph,
The world was in ruins, industry even
in our own country had been under Sc
we're strain. and the process OF rehabili-
taton should have gone forward imme-
diately upon the signing of the armis-
tice Nearly a hundred thousand Amer
lean soldiers were dead in France. Ten
million corpses lay upon the battle
fields of Europe. The smoke still as
cended from the ashes of three hundred
billion dollars worth Of property-rep'
resenting the wealth of centuries OF toll
and saving. All nations were involved
and all should have set to work TO re-
store the broken structure OF civiliZa-
ton. That our own country, being the
strongest and most resourceful, the
richest and the least injured. should
have taken the lead in this work seems
pitifully self-evident. Had We not come
TO realize that life is the common adven'
ture OF all mankind and that the init
mate contacts of modern civilization
have made it. also, common destiny!
Had not suffering made us brothers
and cured us Of our ancient fears and
jealouses? Had We not learned that war
had become all-inclusive in its sweep
ing disasters and that its avoidance and
suppression are the common concern OF
all responsible governments? Did we not
know that there could be no peace ex-
cept a peace common to all the world
and no lasting prosperity unless shared
by all? The path of duty lay straight
before us. Our destiny, for a time
seemed manifest 1t was clear and glori'
ous-to lead, redeem, help and succor.
When, Mr.. Wilson appeared before
the congress on the 1lth day of Novem
Der, 1918, announcing the terms Of the
armistice. in one sentence he proclaim
ed not only the better spirit Of Ameri
ca, but the purposes that lay in th'
hearts of all true men and women. IL,
spoke OF the peoples who had just come
out from under the yoke Of arbitrary
! government and who were face TO fac'
, with their initial test, saying-"We mus
hold the light steadily, until they fins
themselves. Oh. my friends, much a
| love the Democratic party, much a
, indulge the hope that We can make
} an increasingly useful servant OF pre-
gress AMI justice, | would be willin
| that 1t should remain forever outcas
from power II some Guiding Sp1ri
could put il into the hearts and mind
OF the Republican leaders to pick u
. the fallen torch of liberty and hold
so high that all the stricken peoples Q
! | Al. nj ratpfaa kpnyl
; ing that America is herself again. Blu
how vain TO cherish such hope! Tha
: our own country was the first TO will
) draw from The League Of Friendship
ana TO adopt policy Of national isola
ton and selfishness Is a humiliatio
that only time. repentance and goo