The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-11
THE TRUE LOST GENERATION

THE TRUE LOST GENERATION
1t is a satisfaction 10 me to be
asked here to this historic mill
tary college of my native state
on the occasion of commence
ment. Liberal education is the
greatest of constructive human
forces. But true liberalism recog-
nizeS burdens as well rs benefits
for the citizens of every country.
In our years of peace, we all
enjoy and owe to our organized
society, which we call the nation,
the priceless benefits of protec-
ton and tranquility. That is made
possible by the certainty that any
invader, any intending uSurper,
will be resisted by whatever force
the combined strength of that So
ciety can oppose to him.
That certainty is not always
sufficient 10 prevent offenSe. 1t
has been the experience of men
from the beginning-ccrtaiuly it
has been the eXperinc of this ma
tion-that from time To time, rash
and importunate men or groups OF
men have assaulted the peace
with force and arms. 1t is then
that we experience the curse of
mankind-the remaining leftover
from our primitive savagery and
animalism-the hideous monster
of war.
When that time comes, it is of
the very essence of free and DEM
ocratic government that every
mans debt for the privilege of
peace and protection becomes due
and payable. 1t is then the duty
of every citizen to serve in that
place in which it shall best serve
the common good to call him
whether that be at advanced posts
of danger and flaming death or
far back of the battle lines in the
production of materials to support
the vast armies required by mod
ern war. 1t is an obligation abSo-
lutte on every one of US. II can
not be denied.
But if there is an obligation to
serve, is there no obligation TO be
prepared TO serve? Especially in
that more fortunate class to whom
is given the opportunity to have
their minds and bodies trained
for leadership of their fellows -
is there no duty 30 see to it that
they do not lead their fellows
blind?
Modern war has become such
complex of science and technol-
ogy that it is a tragic thing to
place the lives of hundreds of
thousands of young men under
the care and responsibility of 9TH
erS, who are no more fitted by
special training TO accept that
lawful charge than are the men
they presume to lead. 1t is worse
than tragic because it is stupid
which makes it criminal also.
No one knows the lives lost,
bodies twisted, burned and ruined
through the incompetence of
young leaders in the opening
months of any war under our sys-
TEN. IL is not alone a duty TO
know enough not to lead men in
to ambuseades and death-traDs, to
provide for their security against
shock and surprise and to use
them with the least possible risk
of life and limb. 1t is also an OBJ
legation to know how to preserve
not only their lives but their
health and vigor against every
danger incident to the new
strange ways of life in war - to
keep them well and as comforta-
bic, happy and satisfied as the
rigors of war permit.
With at least the rudiments of
all this, you have been acquaint-
ed. 1t is one of the reasons for
my satisfaction in being asked
here to talk TO you. You have
been educated not only to fit you
to receive and make the most of
the benefits of your citizenship
in years of peace. You have also
been taught to see with a clear
eve exactly what may be the bur-
dens of citizenship in war. You
have been prepared, in part at
least, TO take them up exactly
as your fathers and your fathers
fathers were taught in this place
for decades that will soon be null
tiplied to a century. Yours is a
doubly glorious accolade. You
have been fitted for both the bur-
dens and the benefits of our ma
tional life. | congratulate you and
salute you.
There is much strange doctrine
abroad in our world. Not every