L 241 .Y6H28 ft- 'i> 'Aiv< -*^ -J — *■ Wrth from Soutli, to reconquer Virginia, and to break the back of the Confederation. But there was never a chance to separate Virginia from the cause of freedom. Washington knew it, and with tlie unerring eye of his calm genius, saw his opportunity to end the long struggle. His campaign of Yorktown testified a military talent not second to any which history has recorded. Almost before the enemy suspected his plan, Washington had achieved the seemingly impossible feat of transferring liis army four hundred miles to this peninsula; had invested Yorktown, and consolidated here the forces of the colonies Nortli and South, and of their great ally, France, both on land and sea. So rapid was the operation that almost before the enemy force had sensed its danger the French and American troops had stormed the outer works of Yorktown and forced a situation which left only surrender to the British. One seeks in vain for a laarallel to this campaign, and the impor- tance of the victory to the contending colonies long since has been surpassed by its importance to the world, because its paean of victory was the morning song at the dawn of a new era in freedom, made secure in popular government. We must not claim for the New World, certainlv not for our colo- nies alone, all the liberal thought of a century and a half ago. There were liberal views and attending sympathy in England and a pas- sionate devotion to more liberal tendencies in France. The triumph of freedom in the American colonies greatly strengthened liV)eral views in the Old World. Inevitably this liberal public opinion, delil)- erate and grown dominant, brought Great Britain and America to a ]>()licv of iucuiumodatioii and pacific adjustment for all our ditler- em-es. There has been honorable and unbroken peace for more than a century, we came to connnon sacrifice and ensanguined association in the AVorld War, and a future breach of our peaceful and friendly relations is unthinkable. In the trusteeship of preserving civiliza- tion we were naturally arrayed together, and the convictions of a civilization worthy of that costly preservation will exalt peace and A> arn against conflict for all time to come. Our thoughts luivc lately been concerned with those events which niatlc history on the scale of a world, rather than of a continent. Yet tlie lesson is the same. It is the lesson of real interdependence among the nations which lead civilization. In our great crisis, nearly a century and half ago, France came to our aid and made our independence possible. In her supremely anxious liour we gladly went to her support and did our part to secure lier lil)erty. A grateful Republic fulfilled an obligation which the jiassing generations had not dulled. Reflecting to-day on the inevitableness of our participation, on our ties of kinship, friendship, and fellowship, and appraising anew the way the world — God's good world^ — must share the aspirations to realize the noblest ideals for mankind, there is a fresh hungering for understanding, a new call for cooperation, a clear conviction of pur- poses and devotions and loyalties not limited to sovei'eignties nor national boundaries. As the fortunate, successful citizen is both in- spiration and example to the community of his growth, so must the fortunate and successful nations help the world to the higher and nobler levels of accomplishment. Here at Yorktown was sealed the charter of the new and free America, biit in the charter was written the rational liberalism of the maturing eighteenth century crying out from both continents. Shall maidtind, then, go on yet for generations, for centuries, knowing but refusing to be guided by these truths? Not if con- science and reason are properly asserted. I believe the tinae is come when there must l)e recognition of essential cooperation among na- tions, devoted, each of them in its own peculiar national waj-, to the common good, the progress, the advance of all himian kind. Let us hope that we stand at the dawn of a new day, in which nations shall be stronger for contribution to the world's betterment, because each will feel the assurance of coniinon pui'iiose and united aspiiution, and the security of a common devotion to the ends of peace and civili- zation. One need not picture a world -sovereignty, ruling over all the varj'ing races, traditions, and national cultures, because it will never be. That would mean a social, institutional, and intellectual stand- ardization, utterly inharmonious with the plan that filled the world with differing peoples, civilizations, and purposes. Xo • program which seeks to submerge nationality will succeed. This Republic will never surrender so priceless a heritage, will never destroy the soul which impelled our gratifying attainments. In the sober circum- spection, retrospection and introspection of these crucial times we do believe there is sanity and urgent need in bringing the best thought of all great 2)eoples into understanding and cooperative endeavor which shuns the alliances in arms and strengthens the concords of peace, so that each may realize its rightful destiny and contribute its utmost to human advancement and attending human happiness. The heroes of the revolution little Icnew, the fonmling fathers little realized, Washington himself little dreamed the tremendous significance of the beginning which was wrought aniiil (heir hei'oic sacrifices. But if we could summons their spirits this morning T am sure they would rejoicingly marvel at the Republic we have buiided. They would sanction, as do we of Virginia and Ohio, and as do all the States with shining stars in the field of bine, tlie rivete