The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-11
SATURDAY Evl1NING, NOVEMBER II, 1922.
AllNIIsTICE DAY.


aagat be wer >aad more than WE'LL for the
public today TO pause in the popular business
Of uuarEeling with thingS as they are. and think
aseas things as they were during those months
mat preceded the signing of the Armlsttce four
years ago.
When ftop across the ocean sped the word that
peaee was assured the Depole gave great shout
and declared that peace was happiness enough.
That me return % the armies OF young men from
the NAV Of war safe and sound to the home circle
"as az enough; that the release from further
a%tnl sacrifice and fear sufficient for conteut-
nent ana that the sweetness of peace was panecaa
Tor all Ills Who does not remember the envelop.
ing emotion of that Armistlce Day!
what have the four years brought forth? Does
the sun shine this morning upon people going
cneertuly about the business of reconstruction, or
does u look supon,<a people, dissatisfied, discon.
tented impatient and restless? Did the supreme
trial the American people actually come to this
nation in those dark days preceding the signing
OF inc Afmstice, or is this country now undergon,
a more supreme test than that OF any warfare. no
Instter how terrible?
y question whether war VI reconstruction
after war demands more OF a nation in patriotism,
IN faith and in courage The first thought of thu
people toursyears ago today was, THE wars over
troubles arc at an end and bells pealed. and
cannon saluted, and millions OF people reioced
aloud But, did not more far reaching. problem
tssefe ttselt with Armstice Day, the problem cf
rebuilding for peace?, The public has not thought
deeply enough about this for the public spirit has
not arisen with enough might to properly meet il.
stneriess has not accomplished in four years time
the things that she should have accomplished. al
though there is no minimizing tho tremendous
thtpSs whichyshe has comprised
Party and politics can play but small part IN
reconstruction even as party and politics played
9nl small part in the World War The thing that
Counts in both is the individual Will of the peope
TO do Reconstruction needs ardent desire to shove
ahead those things that establish prosperity most
sofdlyl and the vision that looks ahead ant boosts
tor the future.
keeonstruction can only DC accomplished quick
" ana Esonndly by mass sentiment, oven as war Gun
he waged only by mass sentiment and America
ean5neyer attain contentmeut, and can never reach
that place OF union in thought and mind,-tho
end Of the struggle TO heal the wounds of war;
until class wars cease, industrial uuarrels subsIde
and suspicion and distrust thrust dside.
Today tribute Is paid to the men who fell In bat
ne or who passed from life to death while wearing
the nations uniform. The toll exacted by war was
pnbearably great The heart OF America bleeds
set IN an agony OF grief that four years has not
served 20 miiEtae. Every sacrifice deserves It's
reward The more supreme the sacrifice the greater
thesrewafd. II America does not build well, does
not build infinitely greater from Armsttce Day on
ward then America should bow in shame before
that silent tomb in Arlington Cemetery, for Amer.
tsa wi be unworthy that spirit that went forth TO
hattieto make the world safe
Let the people forget class strife, lay aside the
pesty and the small, the unworthy suspicion and
discora that hampers and dlstresses and see what
ths result Will be before another ArmIs.ice Day
rolls around