A Peculiar People

The other day I heard a preacher, delivering a prepared address, remark that the American nation is "a peculiar people." And the more I thought that over, the more convinced I became that here, indeed, was a perfect description.

A peculiar people, indeed! If, gentle reader, you find yourself inclined for even the fraction of a moment to doubt the perfection of this description, review, I pray thee, the recent record. For when you do, all doubts will promptly resolve themselves into certainties.

We have taken twelve millions of our young men, most of them in the prime and flower of their gallant youth, torn them from their homes and their loved ones, placed guns in their hands, uniforms on their backs, and sent them forth under the flaunting flags to fight, and die if need be, in a war in which we were not primarily directly engaged or chiefly concerned-and for what? That humans the world over-untold millions of people whom we do not know and who mean nothing to us personally-may enjoy the priceless blessings of freedom. That is our only motiveour sole ambition-our only hope. There is not a selfish thought, not an idea of gain in all this deliberate mass sacrifice of our gallant youth.

Is there any other nation on the face of the earth that would have done-that would do-anything of the sort? Is there any other nation that would even have contem=

By Jack Dionne

plated undertaking the smallest part of the least percentage of so immeasurable a sacrifice?

What else have we done?

We, the richest nation in all history, have dug down to financial bedrock; we have gathered together the accumulated possessions of one hundred years of successful striving and saving; we have created a fund of financial and economic wealth the like of which no nation in all history ever dreamed; and we have deliberately invested every dollar of it in the sinews of war; this mighty war which has swallowd wealth as the falls of Niagara swallows the mighty river that feeds it. As though these hundreds of billions were but dry leaves and we the owners of unbounded forests-thus have we dug down to the bottom of financial things to underwrite this terrifying war.

And for what?

For the sole purpose of being helpful. For the sake of myriads of God's children who were being swallowed up and destroyed in the giant maw of greed and despotism and cruelty and hate. We have stripped ourselves of our great wealth without even a dream of ever getting a dime of it back. We have made an unlimited investment in Godliness-in Goodliness-without so much as a feeting hope of financial return.

Is there anywhere in this world another nation that would even have dreamed of making a sacrifice so colossal and so unselfish?

Yes, we ARE "a peculiar people." We have entered into a conflict we might have avoided; assumed responsibilities we might have shunned; accepted for ourselves sacrifices that defy description or totalization; all in the simple belief that we ARE our brothers' keeper, and that such guardianship knows no limitation either in blood or treasure.

Is there any other nation on this earth that would have given no sublime a sacrifice so much as a serious thought?

Don't quibble, brother! You know there isn't! We alone would have considered it ! We alone have done it ! For we are truly "a peculiar people !"

Winlree-Roth

Sgt. Donald S. Winfree, Army Air Force, was married recently to Miss Elaine Roth of Modesto at the home of the bridegroom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Winfree, Modesto.

Sgt. Winfree has left for duty in the South Pacific area.

Chcnges Nqme

The California Lumber & Moulding Company, formerly of Pasadena, has changed its name to California Wirebound Box Company and has moved its plant to Pomona, Calif., where it will be engaged exclusively in the manufacture of wirebound boxes.

The offices of the company are being removed to 1315 East 7th Street, Los Angeles, effective January 10. The telephone number is TRinity 993.

Appointed Sales Manager

Stephen J. Frye has succeeded Arthur W. Semans as production and sales manager of Meadow Valley Lumber Company, Quincy, Calif.

Mr. Frye was formerly assistant sales manager for West Side Lumber Co., Tuolomne, and was six years with that concern. Prior to that he was with the Red River Lumber Co. at \Mestwood, Calif. His first experience in the lumber industry was gained with the Swayne Lumber Co. at Oroville, Calif.

Olney-Pond

Virginia Pond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner p. Pond, Los Angeles, and Lieutenant Robert B. Olney, U.S.N.R., son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Olney of Lexington, Ky., were united in marriage at the Wilshire Methodist Church, Los Angeles, Friday evening, December 19. There was a reception at the Pond home, and the couple left on a honeymoon, after which they will reside at Coronado.

The bride's father, Gardner P. Pond, is vice president of J. H. Baxter & Co., Los Angeles.

On Trip To Mexico City

P. B. Gilbert oi the Coos Bay Logging Co. North Bend, Ore., and Mrs. Gilbert, and Don Philips, Lawrence-Philips Lumber Co., Los Angeles, and Mrs. Philips, left Los Angeles on January 11 by airplane for a two weeks' trip to Mexico City.