Deming graphic., 1921-05-31

the soddcn hattlefields OF France must
some day rise up 20 plague us when
again the citadel of culture Is
besieged by the brutal hOrdes Of im-
periai ambition. The American
Legion and other patriotic bodies are
on guard against the new propaganda
OF pacifism and lis.oyalty. II must be
stamped out as shameful aud un-
worthy Of entertainment by people pre-
served by the sacrifice Of their own
flesh and blood
Without laying claim TO prophetic
vision LET II be- remembered that the
signs OF another conflict rise Phoenix
like, even from the ashes shocked 10y
the rel libatiOn. However wicked war
riay be, how useless how expensive
OF treasure, In it, red blaze have the
Institutions Of democracy heen repeat
edly tried since Washington first So
berly took up the sword in defense of
our common country. Let us not for
get that soOn-too soon-we shall
again ask American youths 10 give up
their last careiree years OF adolescence
and their brave plans for life OF
peaceful pursuits tor the battlefield
that promises at best II lucky escape
from violent death and burial IN Il
ditch foul with reeking blood and
mangled flesh. This Is what we ask.
Is IL not asking too muchy Why should
our appeal he not spurned as foolish
and absurd. Why should not our
youths reply; War is wicked; Ii is
useless; { Is mnecessa A-go settle
] ttftfh Fln ffr In 4,
ical debate or, with your accumu-
lated wealth purchase safety from fire
and sword Then were We undone.
! But be- IL remembered that too many
Of our youths did make some such re-
joinder. That many did not serve
through deliberate evasion or dishun-
est exemption. They are with Us to-
day spreading the foul contngion ut
disloyalty to the unselfiSh ideals Of pg-
triOtism, recruiting the ranks pi
those who gladly receive the gifts. nf
peace aud equal opportunity, but who
propose To give nothing In return. For
them-for each one of us--have patri.
OTIS laid them down and died since the
day Of the birth Of freedom In Ameri-
ca. The blood ON II thousand battle
/ fields has been shed in iibatiOn for Us,
and the spirits of those who died jeal-
0usly watch that we may enjoy free
government for ourselves and pass il
10 future generations unimpaired even
as we received it.
That we preserve the priceless treas.
ures which patriots since the founda-
tion of the republic have horded Is all
that we can do To honor our soldier
dead. Their physical senses are turn
cd to dust with their broken bodies :.
and nothing but the honor and safety
of the United States of America has
value in their celestial vision. In
ourselves; 10 do less would be to de-
grude the prcscious spark Of divinity
within us. In America we have light
ed n torch that nowhere else in y u the
world has been famed into flame by
the breath Of the most ardent patriots ::
to hold 1t aloft and to pass II in turn
TO youthful hands devoted to its ser
vice is our duty under God.
We are not militaristS nor bellig
erent In attitude toward other nations.
but we should BE- prepared morally.
physically and materially for the en.
evitable trial-the wager Of battle ~
which American institutions nave
many times been tested. To be- 50 pre-
pared we must honor the memory of
those who died for their country, even
as we DO 50 Solemnly today; further,
we must keep alive the spark Of pa
triotiic devotion within our own
breasts and from the cradle we teach
love Of country 10 our children, the
citizens To tomorrow upon whom will
fall In the fullness of time the burden
of protecting and preserving those in.
Stitutions Of free government Inder
which we have lived so happily Fierce
ly independent, tcnderly marciful and
always vigilent, let the emotions Of
national consciousness and patriotism
guide us ever.