Article January 20, 1923 Issue

Signs of the Times

["The Spirit of 1922—and of 1918," from the World's Work, Garden City, N. Y.]

It is now four years since the Armistice was signed. ... The finest impulses of a nation, as of an individual, are a spirit of self-sacrifice, and a dedication of the highest abilities to promoting justice. That nation uses its material sources and opportunities most nobly when it devotes them to insuring the prevalence of right. These were the motives that the American people displayed in the conflict with Germany. ... The mainspring of American policy is no longer world service. Peace has evidently had a corroding and deteriorating influence, for the spirit of national selfishness has taken the place of that of national self-sacrifice. ... Yet it is apparent that what the United States and the world needs most of all is a revival of the fine enthusiasm with which this country entered the European War. It is again a time for American idealism, self-abnegation, and passion for justice. For nearly three years the American people stood aside, watching the sufferings of devastated Europe. It then sprang into the scene with all the outraged fury of youth, and concentrated all its material and spiritual strength to saving the democratic cause. For the last four years this country has similarly stood aside, while Europe has waged a losing struggle against economic ills—ills that promise to be even more devastating than war itself. The time has now come, as it came in April, 1917, for the finest American character to assert itself, to forget narrow prejudices and selfishnesses, and once more to offer sacrifices for the preservation of the civilization which it did so much to save. The motive which dictated American action in the war was justice; at the present time the predominating motive seems to be that of economic advantage.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Signs of the Times

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access