The Bismarck tribune., 1931-10-19
President Sounds
Call to America
To Fight Forward

NGOl1VAA4uVO AAVAAA (S6S SAsS'
here" Hoover said. WAS the release
of our national minds from all ham,
pering restraints put upon us by sub
lection to another nation and an old
er civilization. -. here America be-
came free to be America"
Praises France
The president paid tribute to the
aid lent the struggling colonists by
France, calling BY name. Degrasse,
Lafayette and Rochanbeau. He
spoke also Of Marshal Petain. who
listened AZ he talked. The presi-
dents address follows in part:
IN military history, Yorktown is
distinguished as one Of the great bat
ties In which land and sea forces CO.
ordinated. The naval cooperation was
furnished by France, herself also at
war with Great Britain. For that
cooperation we have held during
these $50 years grateful remem-
brance.
THAT sentiment. continuing down
through our history, finally flowered
in the cooperation which the Ameri-
can people gave to France in its de-
fense against an overwhe m 9
enemy. The presence Of Marshal
Petain and General Pershing here to-
day symbolizes this second comrade-
ship In arms, so magnificently begun
by Ce Grasse, Lafayette and Roch-
ambeau.
1--WE assemble here to celebrate
victory for our own independence.
but not essentially victory over the
British. The long span Of history
will interpret the American war for
independence and this battle more
in the light of struggle amongst Eng
disappearing people for the estab-
lishment of government and an ex-
tension of common philosophy OF
human rights begun at Runnemede.
Had English Sympathizers
"The principles and ideals for which
America contended had many ad-
herents and much sympathy In Eng
land at that time. The victory of
the Americans gave impulse to the
new order throughout the world: and
while the sovereignties Of America
and England definitely diverged at
Yorktown, yet the march of ideals
for which the Americans fought went
forward and triumphcd In England
itself.
at is not to be doubted wrote
Lafayette. in sending the keys Of the
Bastile to Washington, that the
principles of America opened the
Bastile.'
"Our purpose today is to pay hom-
age to glorious event in our ma
tional history. Among many benedic-
tions offered to us by this ceremony.
one is renewed acquaintance with the
spirit of George Washington. The
campaign which led to its final
climax here established his military
genius. It was the crown of victory
which placed his name among the
great commanders Of all time.
ut is not too much to say that
without Washington the waI for in
dependence would not have been won.
"Washington's greatness was far
more than great general: 1t lay in
his soul and his character"
Victory for Mankind
This national shrine stands for
more than q glorious battle. It is a
shrine which symbolizes things of
the spirit. The victory Of Yorktown
was victory for mankind. It was
another blaze in the great trail of
human freedom. Through these
ideas and ideals the minds of a pco-
pie were liberated, their exertions
and accomplishments stimulated.
1.-THE primary national conscqu-
ence of the independence we finally
won here was the release Of our ma
tional mind from all hampering re-
straints put upon us by subjection to
another nation and an older civiliza-
ton. Here America became free to
be America.
I'VE acquired the opportunity fer
unrestrained development Of a gov
ernment and culture that should be
our own. It has made possible the
realization Of those visions of gov
ernment and organized society which
arose among us as q result of in
dividuality OF temperament born of
the frontiers Of new continent.
If we look back over these $50
years, we see our nation marking
progress with every decade. From
these communities of 100000 peo-
pie scattered along the Atlantic sea-
board. it has grown to more than
10000, 900. 1t has marked the full
sweep of the continent to the Pa
cific ocean with magnificent cities,
homes. and farms. with a degree Of
comfort and security hitherto un-
known in human history.
Experiment In Society
1T has grown in education and
knowledge, from which invention and
discovery have been accelerated, with
every year bringing a harvest Of new
comforts and inspirations. It has
unfolded great experiment in hu-
man society. builded new and power
full institutions born Of new ideas,
new ideals and new visions Of hu-
man relations.
1T has attained a wider diffusion
OF liberty and happiness and more
Of material things than humanity