The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1922-01-11
PERsHINC IN CHICKASHA.

Chickasha heard that Gen. John J. Pershing, commander-in-
chief Of the American forces in the World War. was going to pass
through the town and something less than half the population
hurried to the station 10 get a glimpse OF hin-the other hli
would have been there il they had known he was coming:
Chickasha folks were disappointed-ako delighted and wild with
enthusiasm. They didn't see Gen. John Perslnng. Americas
most distinguished military leader. but they did see Smiling Jack
Pershing' and to the spell which spread ont from that smile they
surrendered instantly aud Internationally.
They were looking for the conventional type OF high military
officer. Respondent in uniform. with brass buttons. shoulder straps.
service stripes. medals. badges OF honor and all that sort OF thing;
dieniied 10 the point OF stiffness, stern Of mien and even awe
inspiring. Instead, as the train stopped, there stepped out on the
rear platform a pain-looking American citizen in "civies.' unas-
suming, smiling and giving forth the Enthusiastically friendly look
which made everybody in the crowd feel: "Wel, it's my old friend
Jack Pcrshingp And Judging from his beaming face what the
general was silently saying was, Yes, it's Pershlng' your humble
servant: look me over il you like"
or course they knew il was the generafssimo of the Ameri-
can armies in France. a military chief who had hob-nobbed with
the backgrounds Of their minds his brilliant deeds as a soldier and
stratcgist stood out in bold reief-never TO be effaced-but, for
of P%ershing. the man. outstanding. clean-cut, unaffected simple
smiling fclow-Amernan. No wonder that the entente cordiale"
was Immediately established between the war hero and his adj
mrers: no wonder that the throng Of boys and girls, men and
women Of every age and station smiled back that smile and felt
fricndy enough to call the great man by his first name and to
handy conversation with hnm III the most familiar terms-to en-
courage him when halted in his speech and to laugh with him as
he confessed his confusion when the wanted word wouldnt come.
And then when the speech-making was over and they pressed
forward to mob him in their efforts to grasp his hand, it was
still Smiling Jack Pershing, flashing back an apt reply to every
word of greeting; no trouble at all for one of the greatest men
OF his time to unbend-if one may use that work in speaking OF
actions which were clearly spontaneous and natural-and be one
of the folks among the folks and get a lot of fun out OF it. 1t was
all tremendously democratic and it showed that a great military
man can be tremendously human.
The small man who. by hook or crook or by some lucky turn
OF the wheel Of fate, finds himself atop the pinnacle OF fame, be-
comes dizzy, loses his head-his sense of perspeetive-sweIs up,
and from his lofty point of view has difficulty in seeing the ordi-
nary folks below. Not so with the genuinely great; you don't
have to use a stepladder to get up to Smiling Jack P%ershing-
YOU don't even have to climb onto a chair, because he is right
there with you. With all the honors that have been heaped upon
him, Pershing has no exaggerated sense OF his own Importance
he knows that a mans a man for a that" and that however high
he may rise, he is still a man, essentially like unto his kind and is
one of them.
Pershing had an opportunity for service that can come to only
one man in millions in perhaps a thousand years and the world
knows how magniicenty he met it. To Pershng and his armies
was given the privilege of delivering the decisive punch in the
gigantic conflict which freed mankind from the menace of military
autocracy. Pershing occupied a position in which the eyes Of
America and all the world were focused upon him and so well did
he handle the huge job that he was already taken his place as
one of the outstanding figures in history, loved and honored at
home and abroad. Was it purely fortutous that the post of
highest command fell to P%ershing? Most accuredy not: a long
and active career Of efficient service in lesser military under
takings preceded his elevation to the leadership Of all the Ameri-
can forces. Pershing must have had within himself the physical
mental and moral qualities which made him the man Of the hour"
when the unique opportunity came to him. We attempt no
analysis Of his character or his military methods and strategy,
but, if one may safely base a deduction upon one Closeup Of
Pershingy the man, we venture the opinion that Smiling Jack
Pershing had much to do with the making of Gen. John ]. Perish
ing, and that the Pershing smile, proceeding from a big, warm,
kindly heart, was one Of the minor but potent factors in his rise to
fame. The personality of Pershing, the man was the foundation
Of Pershing, the military hero
Charlie Chaplin hobnobbed with Fl. 6. Wells in England Pos
sbly he is planning to compress the history Of the world into
four reels.-Minneapolis Tribune.