The Problems of Peace: A Study of the Essential Needs of Massachusetts During the Reconstruction Period (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Problems of Peace: A Study of the Essential Needs of Massachusetts During the Reconstruction Period

Intricate and important as were the problems of war preparation and participation, it is likely that in the end they may seem simple compared to the difficulties which face us in its readjustment to normal peace conditions.

The obstacles in the way of a military victory have been overcome because of the fact that there were no differences of opinion as to the main object to be attained. Individual and party theories as to economic and administrative policies have been subordinated for the successful accomplishment of the end in view.

The world will never again, return to where it was four years ago. What is called conservative Opinion must modify its aims to include the best part of what is called radical policy. On the other hand, radicalism, as shown by its inevitable results when put in actual practice, as to-day in Russia, where the radicals have taken the property of the nation without law, is an even greater menace than the militarism now justly defeated in this great war.

It is a time for tolerance, of getting together, and in the compromise of opinion to work out a reasonable and saving program. The United States, which gave real' democracy to the world, has during the last fourteen decades, shown that under it, real progress never before witnessed in the history of the world was possible.

During the war the American people generally refused to give serious consideration to reconstruction problems because of the fear that this might divert them from the immediate prosecution and winning of the war, and as a result we are as unprepared for peace as we were for war.

The purpose of this pamphlet is to direct attention not solely to the larger questions of reconstruction now being considered the world over, but especially to the not less important because purely local problems which are necessary to understand and to remedy that Massachusetts may hold its own in after the war competition.

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