Mighty powers are at work in the world today. Mighty changes are taking place within the depths of our natures. We are not satisfied with the old order of things that have trailed along with ouropulent years. The great holocaust of war has sobered our senses and we find ourselves taking stock of the past with particular reference to the future—the near future we hope.
We are thinking of the day when the boys willcome back homeand we have it in mind to tidy up considerably by the time they begin to arrive. We believe they will approve of our work, and unless they do we may aswell look the situation squarely in the face—they’ll do some cleaning up on their own account.They’ll finish the job.
The order of the day ischange. There are old, worn-out labels that must give place to new ones, particularly one which has outlived its usefulness, entitled—the inherent rights of man. It needs revising. Its by-laws must be revamped, recast along modern lines in order thatlibertyshall not be mistaken forlicensenor any man claim immunity on the assumption that because this is a free countryhe may do as he may please.
When the boys come home they are going to ask for an accounting. They will want to take more than just a peep at our stewardship. Where are theloafershanging out? They’ll ask us that. And they’ll ask about the dives and dens andthief-making sportsthat boldly flaunted themselves in the days beforethe great change.
A lot of the boys won’t come home. They’ll be asleep, over there, but the big majority will return and they will be men of brawn—resolute and brave. They will begin at once to ask questions that will make some of us wince, and they are going to insist upon truthful answers. “What about the profiteers?” They’re going to insist on knowing all about these fellows. They will seek them out and compel them to disgorge their ill-gotten gains—profits taken from the families of these men who crossed the seas to rid the world ofjust such a piratical crew.
And what aboutbooze—have we given that traffic the final punch? If it wasn’t good for soldiers tofight onhow could it be useful incivil life? These are questionswe’ve got to answer when the boys come home and it looks as though we were going to be able to give a good account of ourselves—thanks to the government.
Things are changing—many things have already changed. The big crucial tests upon our national conscience are coming to a head. Our government isfar-seeingand alert. Abuses still exist, but the eyes of able men are upon them. A government that is capable of sending millions of men under prime conditions to foreign lands in behalf of ourmost precious rightsneed not be expected to fall down on the task of cleaning things up at home while they are away. The whole world is to be made safe and clean,including the U. S. A.