The New York herald., 1921-05-31


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tied and doubtful. Here was found
a nation which for four years gave
its very all of human resource, or
industrial power, of faith in its
mission and its future, in order
that it might maintain an ideal. II
accomplished that which experts
and economists decried as the i'm
possible 1t defied the edict that
economic exhaustion and financial
disabilities must prevent a decisive
victory. 1t demonstrated that the
wealth and resources of a nation
lie not in acres and bushels. In
bank balances and tonnages, IL
taxable wealth and going business.
but rather in the sinews and souls
OF it's inspired people. And therein
the example of our fraternal strug
gle taught the lesson which later
moved agonized civilization to re-
jcct an indecisive peace.
Fruits of victory to Remain.
So much. and vastly more, we
peace of union and liberty. 1t is
debt that has not yet been dis
charged in fun; debt on which
every succeeding generation can
hope only to pay its instalment;
for it obligates us and those after
us to maintain for this people the
high estate wEl~-h s:---5s established.
We never will yield aught Of what
they Won for us. Forbidden ~ the
law of life and institutions, we
cannot stand still. We must always
move forward, along the upward
paths they marked for us. No less
is possible unless we would repudi-
ate the debt they laid upon us.
whose covenant they sealed in
their blood.
Thus appraising ana thus ac-
lnowledging our responsibility, we
will do we'll to consider the particu-
lar burdens it lays upon us. We
look about us on a world troubled
and torn. cropping for way back
TO light and opportunity. We find
ourselves, as a people, occupying
a place OF vast responsibility in
that world We stand among the
leaders TO whom it looks for guild
ance and direction. We are blessed
with wealth. with the institutions
of freedom. with the magnificent
tradition that comes TO us from
those whom to-day we honor. We
cannot evade. IL we would. for man
kind is fallen on times when there
is no hope for it If some communi-
ties seek isolation while others in
dulge uncestrained ambition for
empire. Civilization must face dis
aster If there shall be denial either
OF common responsibility or of es-
sential equality among sovereign
States and persons.
Must Profit by Example.
We have heard much about the
danger Of winning the war and
losing the peace. But is there not,
in the example of those who made
the ultimate sacrifice, lofty in
spiration % the same singleness of
purpose, the same readiness to sink
individual for the sake OF general
good. that moved them? Though
they were not trained to military
forms and cvolutions yet they
learned TO stand together in un-
broken line, to move as unities, to
forget the individual FOR the sake
of the mass Surely there is no
reason why peace may not achieve
discipline. unification, directness of
purpose as war does. II requires
the same submergence of selfish
ends. the same REIMBURSEMENT Of
the merely personal qualifications.
the same regard for the common
interest. I am not counselling sur
rendered independence. our main
tanned freedom is the source Of our
might Only the American con-
science may command this Re
public.
1t is, indeed. very different mat
ter to achieve the discipline that
peace demands. There is not the
urge Of instant danger. the rigor
OF authority TO overcome than dan
ger. II is nccdful % bring into
subjugation the thoughtless mind
the indulgent disposition. the easy
quest of pleasure tho lust OF gain,
the aspiration for power and per-
sonal satisfaction. IL is required
TO substitute saving for thought
less spending. thrift for waste, un-
ceasing productive effort for the
simple expedicnt Of spending the
shortest dime and least energy on
the job.
a .-Iz
During the war. when we were
all intent on tho great business Of
winning, we saw this discipline
established In mine. factory and
farm occupations. We worried not
a little about how cxtravagant we
were: but. on the other hand. we
All turned IN and worked, and we
made those years Of tho war period
marvels or productiveness despite
that millions Of workers were VA
the uniform and other millions
were engaged TN tho special I'm
dustrics which war neccssitatcd.
With the return Of peace this in
dustrial discipline was thrown
aside; not only in our own country
but I'm every country that was in
the war. a breakdown Of morale
accompanie1 ii, and ve nud our