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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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GEORGIA HISTORICAL 
 SOCIETY 
 
 F 281 
 .G392 
 Copy 1 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 .y^ 
 
 OF 
 
 Mr. Wi^^W. MAGKALL, 
 
 President of the Society 
 
 ON THE OCCASION 
 
 OF ITS 
 
 SEVENTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 FEBRUARY 12th, 1918 
 
 ON 
 
 "THE DUTY OF THE HOUR" 
 
 PRINTED BY 
 DlftECrrON OF THE SOCIETY 
 
-.-f 
 
Fellow Members: It has been the custom of the Georgia 
 Historical Society in the past, on the occasion of its anniver- 
 saries, whenever practicable, to invite some distinguished citi- 
 zen to address the Society on a subject of historical interest; 
 but in view of the peculiar conditions now confronting the 
 Country which have a tendency to draw the thoughts of all of 
 us into the one channel of the war and its consequences, it was 
 deemed advisable to dispense with this instructive function at 
 this time. On the other hand, as the President of this old and 
 honorable institution, I felt I could not permit the occasion 
 to pass without at least giving utterance to the patriotic senti- 
 ments which I know are overflowing in the loyal hearts of all 
 of our members. For this reason, I have ventured, in all 
 modesty, in connection with my report, to set down for your 
 consideration some thoughts of a patriotic nature, giving ex- 
 pression to my conception of the rights and duties of American 
 citizens during this gigantic struggle for human liberty, and 
 incidentally paying a tribute to the heroism of the American 
 soldier, upon whose devotion and efficiency this country must 
 depend for final victory, and which, for the want of a better 
 name, I have entitled the "Duty of the Hour." And here I 
 wish to be clearly understood that whenever, in the course of 
 these remarks, I make reference to the American soldier, I 
 always include in this expression the gallant sailors of our 
 splendid Navy. 
 
 Since the last annual meeting of the Society there has 
 developed, and is still present with us, the most stupendous 
 crisis which has ever occurred in the history of our country. 
 
 On the 6th day of April, Anno Domini 19 17, the Congress 
 of the United States, upon the advice of the President, by a 
 joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
 solemnly declared, for the just and honorable reasons therein 
 set forth, that a state of war existed between the United States 
 of America and the Imperial Government of Germany, From 
 that fateful moment the German nation became, and is, our 
 
2 REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 implacable and ruthless enemy, and then and there our country 
 became, and is, the loyal ally of those glorious nations who for 
 nearly three long and cruel years have been battling with 
 organized brutality for the preservation of civilization and the 
 threatened liberties of the world. 
 
 Up to the instant of the final passage of this epoch-making 
 resolution, it is doubtful if more than a comparatively small 
 portion of the people realized the full significance of this, our 
 second Declaration of Independence. In the twinkle of an eye 
 our ship of state, which had been calmly floating on the smooth 
 and placid waters of Peace, unmindful of the approaching 
 storm, found herself tossed and struggling in the dark and 
 fearful billows of war. Then it was that the American people 
 showed the stuff which they are made of. They remembered 
 no more the opportunities which had been lost ; they rose above 
 party affiliations and prejudices ; they buried their religious and 
 social differences ; and uniting in one clarion voice, which has 
 echoed around the world, they sang out "We Will Save the 
 Ship" ; and to accomplish this end they forthwith conferred 
 upon their illustrious captain, in whose patriotism and ability 
 they had all confidence, powers the like of which have rarely 
 before been exercised by the ruler of a civilized nation. And 
 it is gratifying to the executive of a patriotic society, such as 
 this, to be able to record that this confidence does not seem to 
 have been misplaced. For when the crisis came and the storm 
 burst, he seized the helm and with masterful skill met the fury 
 of the blast, and I have the unswerving hope and belief that, 
 under the blessings of God, and with the helpful co-operation 
 of all that is great and good in American civilization, he will, 
 in due time, guide the ship safely into port ; and even now there 
 are some little signs to indicate that this happy and longed for 
 day may come sooner than anticipated by most of us. 
 
 While, therefore, I yield to no man in giving to him un- 
 stinted praise for the great things he has so far accomplished, 
 when he awoke from his ideal dream of "peace without vic- 
 tory," and am prepared to applaud him for the greater things, 
 which, I trust, it is his destiny to perform, nevertheless, I claim, 
 
REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 and shall alwa3S exercise, the privilege of an American citizen 
 to entertain and express the view, shared in by many of the 
 ablest patriots of the country, that in some instances his ap- 
 pointments to public office have been most unfortunate, result- 
 ing in gross inefficiency in a number of the Government's 
 activities, and that, therefore, it would be wise on his part, and 
 better for the country, if he would promptly dispense with the 
 further service of such public servants who, however patriotic 
 their motives may be, and however endeared to him by the 
 ties of past association, have not measured up to the vast 
 responsibilities which have been thrust upon them. Loyalty to 
 friendship which merely involves individual sacrifice and dis- 
 comfort is a sterling virtue, but loyalty to friendship which 
 brings misfortune upon the country may become a vicious 
 fault. 
 
 There are some mistakes which, in the confusion and ex- 
 citement of a great crisis, result from honest errors of judg- 
 ment. These may be overlooked. But there are others which, 
 arising from incapacity and lack of proper forethought, may 
 not be forgiven by a free and intelligent people. In the latter 
 category should be placed that cruel mistake whereby hundreds 
 of thousands of young Americans were assembled at concen- 
 tration camps throughout the country before adequate pro- 
 vision had been made for their health, their comfort and their 
 training. I might mention other grievous mistakes resulting 
 from the "Cult of Incompetence," but the one to which I have 
 already made reference is sufficient to illustrate the point I am 
 urging, which is that the more pitiless publicity we can have 
 with respect to the acts of public servants, the greater efficiency 
 we may expect. Censorship is a good thing when its object is 
 to keep from the enemy useful information, but it is an evil 
 thing when its effect is to keep the people in ignorance of the 
 true status of their affairs. This distinction should be recog- 
 nized by those in power and acted on. 
 
 The recent investigation into the conduct of the war on 
 behalf of the United States Senate was, in my opinion, a wise 
 and patriotic move in the right direction, for it has brought to 
 
4 REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 light the spots wherein our armor is weak, but at the same time 
 it has demonstrated its general strength and effectiveness. This 
 is in no sense a criticism of the President, for it renders him 
 due praise for the vast and comprehensive fabric he has 
 planned and put into operation ; but, on the other hand, points 
 out to him where his plans have been delayed, and in some 
 cases partially defeated by incompetent agents, thus giving 
 him an opportunity to remedy the evil while there is yet time. 
 
 In this connection I give as my individual opinion, that no 
 measure which the President could inaugurate at this time 
 would be hailed with more satisfaction by a majority of the 
 people of the country than the acceptance by him of the princi- 
 ple of a coalition administration during the continuance of the 
 war. By this means alone can he hope to avert the jealousies 
 of political factions and establish in the minds of the people 
 the sublime thought that, while this great struggle lasts, there 
 are no parties, but an united and enthusiastic nation moved by 
 one impulse, to conquer or to die. 
 
 I have no sympathy with that maudlin sentimentality which 
 stamps as disloyal and unpatriotic every dignified protest 
 against mismanagement in high places, and every just criticism 
 of incapable public servants. For my own part, I can love and 
 serve my country, and be faithful in my duty to my Com- 
 mander-in-Chief, without sacrificing my self-respect and yield- 
 ing up the great birthright bequeathed to us by the founders 
 of the Republic : the sacred privilege of free thought and honest 
 expression of opinion. 
 
 And here, with your permission, I will make a short digres- 
 sion. It has always struck me as a peculiar anomaly in the 
 operation of our institutions, that in time of peace we are 
 accustomed to boast, and with reason, that we are the freest 
 and most self-governed people on the face of the earth, and 
 yet when war comes upon us, or other great national emer- 
 gency arises, almost automatically, under the guise of legislative 
 sanction, it is true, our government becomes for all intents and 
 
REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 5 
 
 purposes an absolute autocracy, and the President holds in the 
 hollow of his hand the destiny of one hundred millions of 
 people. 
 
 This curious feature may be rational, indeed I can see it is 
 a necessity, if we are to accomplish big results promptly, but 
 it carries with it the elements of danger, and should be watched 
 with jealous eye, so that, when the emergency passes, the su- 
 premacy of the people shall be restored in all its majesty. And 
 there is no weapon more potent for the accomplishment of this 
 purpose than just and honest criticism, prompted by pure and 
 patriotic motives. "Individual liberty and independence are 
 and must be essential to human progress. This fundamental 
 truth cannot be ignored with safety." 
 
 But to resume. Unless we are to admit that those in au- 
 thority have received a commission from God to shape the 
 destinies of the nation, fair and candid criticism should be 
 encouraged, for history teaches but by this means alone can 
 errors be corrected and truth be enthroned. 
 
 My friends, I declare it in all seriousness, that if we do not 
 emerge from this war triumphant (an assumption which is 
 beyond the range of my vision) the blame cannot be laid at 
 the door of the American people, for they have pledged their 
 lives, their fortunes and their honor to the cause. They have 
 placed at the disposal of their President almost without restric- 
 tion, billions of money, a supply of men and raw material 
 practically inexhaustible, and above all that best of all assets 
 of any nation, a host of faithful and patriotic women. While 
 the task which was set before him and his advisers was indeed 
 stupendous, nevertheless, the historian of these times will not 
 fail to record that no government ever before entered upon a 
 war under auspices so favorable to ultimate victory as this 
 nation. They had back of them the richest country in the 
 world, a people who in every past emergency were responsive 
 to the call of duty ; a genius, which for constructive organi- 
 zation and for achievement in Science and Mechanical Arts, 
 was without a rival in the universe. There were but few new 
 
REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 problems to solve ; indeed, the greater of these, viz, the organi- 
 zation and training of armies, the mobilization of industries, 
 the preservation of resources and the co-ordination of depart- 
 ments, had been worked out by the tests and experiences of 
 our allies ; and finally, our enemy, powerful and efficient as he 
 still is, had, to some extent, become exhausted by nearly three 
 years of titantic warfare. If under these conditions we cannot 
 conquer, then, Oh America, thou hast fallen from thy high 
 estate ! 
 
 But, my friends, the storm is still raging, and the war is 
 still a living issue, and this brings us to the duty of the hour. 
 If we are determined to accept no terms of peace which do not 
 contemplate the attainment of the objects and ideals for which 
 we drew the sword, which may be summed up in these few 
 words. Restoration, Reparation, Reformation, and Restraint — 
 to restore that which has been taken, to repair that which has 
 been destroyed, to reform that which has been a menace, to 
 restrain that which has been brutal, then it behooves us to 
 abate not one jot or tittle our zeal and labor; to be prepared 
 to make greater sacrifices than in the past, and to submit with 
 cheerfulness to greater discomforts in the future. It behooves 
 us further to do our part in making all the instrumentalities of 
 our government effective ; to systematize and co-ordinate our 
 labors so as to bring about harmony of action ; to assist the Red 
 Cross and kindred organizations in their sacred work ; to obey 
 without a murmur the regulations for the preservation of food 
 and fuel ; to give up those luxuries which are not essential to 
 our reasonable comfort ; to subscribe to the Liberty Bonds and 
 other money raising agencies of the government to the utmost 
 of our ability. If we have not the cash, let us not hesitate to 
 pledge our credit ; we would do this to save our business or to 
 rescue a devoted friend, should we not therefore cheerfully do 
 this and more to serve our beloved country in its hour of need ? 
 Better far a bankrupt pocketbook than a bankrupt citizenship ; 
 to be cheerful even when we feel sad, remembering that even 
 a smile may soothe some poor soldier's aching heart ; and 
 finally to so keep alive the fire of patriotism, by word and by 
 
REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 7 
 
 deed, by example and by precept, until its pure and steady 
 flame shall reach the highest vault of heaven and send its 
 cheering beams to the uttermost parts of the earth. 
 
 But above all else it behooves us, in these solemn days, to 
 give to our President, who represents the majesty of the people, 
 our loyal support and co-operation in every movement which 
 he may inaugurate for the country's welfare, even though there 
 may be times when we doubt the wisdom of his policy. In 
 other words, if a law is proposed which in your opinion is 
 detrimental to the best interest of the country, do not hesitate 
 as an intelligent freeman to oppose it, but if the law is once 
 enacted, accept it cheerfully and obey it loyally, hoping always 
 for the best. This would be my conception of democratic 
 patriotism. 
 
 To you, my fellow members of the Georgia Historical 
 Society, I have to say: You have a sacred and special duty 
 to perform. It rests upon you to see to it that the Georgians 
 of today, following in the foot-prints of their illustrious an- 
 cestors, will so conduct themselves as actors in this the might- 
 iest drama which has ever been acted on the world's stage, 
 that when the parts they played have been written up by the 
 historian of the future, there will be no cause for their des- 
 cendants to bow their heads in shame. Let us learn a lesson 
 from the ideals of the American soldier. "He suffereth long, 
 he envieth not, he vaunteth not himself, is not puffed up. He 
 beareth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things." 
 A distinguished writer in a recent number of the North Ameri- 
 can Review justly observes : "Idealism wanes in prosperity 
 and waxes in adversity. England has become a new England 
 out of the adversities of this war, and in the same struggle a 
 new America will be born." 
 
 I have had the privilege of reading a number of letters of 
 a young American officer now at the front, and they are so 
 full of hope, faith and love of country, that I may be pardoned 
 if I take the liberty of quoting a few extracts, taken at random, 
 from this collection. In one letter to his mother he writes : 
 
8 REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 "The old order changeth, yielding place to the new ; the years 
 have passed and again comes Christmas time, again the sound 
 of drums and trumpet is heard, but this time it is not of small 
 boys, but of soldiers marching to the front, singing the battle 
 cry of freedom. I was happy then, and I am happy now." 
 Another, to his father: "This is true life in a world of big 
 things. I am doing and hearing new things every day, and each 
 moment I realize how fortunate I am in having this oppor- 
 tunity. I would not exchange my lot with anyone in the world, 
 and as for being well and happy, I feel better than ever before 
 in my life." Again, to his father: "Perhaps my dear mother 
 still entertains the hope of my returning soon to America to 
 instruct the recruits. Please, father, do everything in your 
 power to convey to her the privilege and honor it is to remain 
 here. You will understand when I tell you that I am far 
 happier here than I would be in America. We are all happier 
 here ; it is a happiness that I have never experienced before. 
 It is true happiness." Once again, to his father: "I, too, am 
 a believer in idealism, and feel assured that ultimately it will 
 bring with it victory. Yes, the principle of Right is before us, 
 and sooner or later we shall prove to the heathen that it is 
 Right rather than Might that will win the last battle." I might 
 add many more quotations of the same import, similar in sub- 
 stance, I have no doubt, to thousands of others written by our 
 brave boys to their parents in every part of this vast country; 
 but the examples quoted above are sufficient. Do they not 
 illustrate the spirit of the American soldier, and do you not 
 rejoice that you are a citizen of a country which can produce 
 such glorious men? 
 
 I tell you my friends, God, in His infinite wisdom, can and 
 does oftentimes bring good out of evil ; and thus it happens 
 that even the great war, with all its unutterable sorrows and 
 fearful frightfulness, may become a veritable "Pentecost of 
 Calamity," a nursery for the growth and development of the 
 noblest virtues: patience, endurance, brotherly love. Who is 
 there in this audience who does not feel in his or her heart that 
 this awful war for the freedom of the world in which we are 
 
REPORT OF PRESIDENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY V 
 
 now engaged has made us better men and women? Where 
 before we were weak, now we are strong; where before we 
 were arrogant, now we are forbearing; where before we only 
 looked without, now we look within ; where before we thought 
 only of ourselves, now we think of others. This is what the 
 war, through the example of the American soldier, has done 
 for us. May God then bless and preserve him as he marches 
 forth to battle for the right, and help those of us who are 
 compelled by age, infirmity or duty to remain at home, to 
 emulate his marvelous patience, his untiring endurance and his 
 sublime faith. 
 
 He fights not for glory, he cares not for fame ; 
 
 He fights for his Country, which knoweth no shame ; 
 
 He heeds not the causes which led to her plight ; 
 
 He knows she is lovely, he swears she is right. 
 
 He loves her and trusts her, whatever befall. 
 
 She made him a freeman and gave him his all. 
 
 He'll follow her banner, wherever it leads. 
 
 And never grow weary in arduous deeds. 
 
 He boasts not and speaks not of what he will do ; 
 
 The lone path of duty he'll calmly pursue. 
 
 He'll pull with the Briton in his tug with the foe, 
 
 With a grip and a twist which never lets go ; 
 
 He'll dash by the side of the glorious French. 
 
 Through the tangle of wire and over the trench. 
 
 His life is a lesson, untainted by pelf. 
 
 Of patience, endurance and control of oneself. 
 
 He will stand at his post, and show to the Hun, 
 
 By Right, and not Might, the last battle is won. 
 
 He'll never give up 'till "Old Glory" is furled. 
 
 On the freedom of man, and peace of the world. 
 
 In conclusion, I would express the prayerful hope that 
 when again we assemble in this historic building, it will be our 
 glorious privilege to celebrate a victorious peace and to do our 
 
10 REPORT OF PRESIBENT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 share in the regenerating of this distracted world on the lovely 
 lines of Christian civilization and international fellowship 
 which have been so eloquently portrayed, on more than one 
 occasion by our great President. 
 
 If my vision of the future be something more than an idle 
 dream, or passing fancy, then I can see the day is coming 
 when the Brotherhood of Nations, assembled "in the Parlia- 
 ment of Mankind" shall, with one accord, amid the plaudits 
 of a spiritualized people, beneath the broad canopy of a smiling 
 Heaven, declare that the entire world is and shall be free. 
 
 "Ring out the old, ring in the new ; 
 Ring, happy bells, across the snow ; 
 The year is going, let him go ; 
 Ring out the false, ring in the true. 
 
 Ring out old shapes of foul disease ; 
 Ring out the narrowing lust of gold ; 
 Ring out the thousand wars of old ; 
 Ring in the thousand years of peace. 
 
 Ring in the valiant man and free, 
 The larger heart, the kindlier hand ; 
 Ring out the darkness of the land. 
 Ring in the Christ that is to be" 
 
 Thenceforth and forever. 
 
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