The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-20
Hope Springs in Mississippi

1Ou tets great cdidmilles TALL order
that we may see, reaiizes3nd remember the good
ness OF the hearts and the generosity Of the i'm
pulses of fellow men and women-the spec
taelc Of it. demonstrating in spite Of our spells Of
pegsimism and cyncism that we are ALL after all.
cnc-in spite Of differences Of section politics.
ligion and race. 1t is being displayed now north.
south. cast and west. In great emergencies like
this our Common Fatherhood and Common Broth
crhood become realized facts"
These are the opening words Of message which,
for sheer courage, is almost without equal 1t is
message to the whole United States message
written by man. John Sharp Williams, former
congressman from Mississippi national di-
rector Of the Red Cross intended only for his fellow
Red Cross workers 1t is also. however. a mes
sage which speaks for every flood victim of Mis-
sissppi valley 1t shows that the valley folk arc
down, but not cut Hope is still theirs. What do
they say? Here is their message:
1.-THE old superb fighting spirit of the south,
among those who helping and those who are
being helped and those helping themselves, is be-
ing manifested daily and nightly as living thing,
that has never died and cannot de- and the out
pouring Of the hearts of the nation is bidding Us
God speed.
"From the Yazoo hills in Mississippi to the foot
hills Of the Ozarks in Arkansas and Missouri and
thence southwark to the Mexican gulf the Mis-
sissipp river has become vast inland sea
lands submerged, the people refugees. But they
not despairing refugees. Their magnificent
sense Of humor keeps them from overcomplaining
Thank heaven! these people have ever been able
to meet apparent defeat and seemingly overwhenA-
ing misfortunes, not only with fortitude, but also
with jest, an anecdote and smile Of encourage
ment not only for themselves, but for their fell
lows. We doing all we can for ourselves-for
white and for back-and for what is beyond our
power to do, others doing it for US with pro-
found sympathy and heartfelt generosity We
need it all and more, thankful for it all and
would be thankful even IL i were less and shall
never forget it. Meantime, where the land is un-
singing, the darkics laughing, 'stiffen-
ing our sinews and summoning up courage and
God is in His heavens
"The great work of rehabilitation is yet ahead
Of US. Further ahead yet is the work of making
safe for the future. The people who built the Pan
ANA canal will not grudge equal sum Of money
to harness and control the Father of Waters and
to make The Great Valley safely habitabc and
cultivable. The engineering part of the problem is
not difficult is only stupendous-that is ALL
1t is not much question of what to do from an
engineers standpoint, it is question Of how to
get the money to do it with and how rapidly to
cxpend it in the doing Making The Great Valley
SAFE not only for this generation but for the teem-
ing millions destined hereafter to populate it is
worth more to American agriculture, commerce.
transportation manufactures and social life. than
ten Panama other interoccanic canals.
BLESSED of all men is he who, putting his hands
to the pillow, looketh not back This nation will be
like that man."