The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-09-05
Sit Tight! Don't Rock the Boat!

Sit tight! Don't rock the boat,
That's the watehword today. That's
the first duty Of every American at
this moment. That's what this coun-
try needs to keep it straight and
safe and true to it's course-absolute
ly all it needs.
BUSINESS conditions are sound. We
have one of the greatest grain crops
in history. It's value has already
greatly advanced. We have a sound
financial system, backed by the great
est store OF gold in the world. Our
banks are solid, safe. There is moth
ing the matter with the United
States.
War will mean an unprecedented
demand for supplies. Experts de-
clare American business will feel a
great impetus. While other nations
are armed camps, this country will
be farm, factory, a forge. Trade
extension is predicted in all direc-
tons. The Immediate future is plain.
The national administration is act
ing wisely, promptly. The sum Of
$500, 100000 is available, under the
Aldrich-Vreeland act, for an emergen-
cy. The organization Of the reserve
board will soon be complete. This
will enable us to deal more, effectively
with the outflow of gold. Plans are
perfecting to permit American regis
try of foreign vessels. This will pro-
tect and develop our commerce.
We are preparing to maintain strict
neutrality. Questions may arise with
foreign nations as to what consti-
tutes contraband. Such questions
cannot conceiyahly involve us in diff
ficulties. They will be settled by
the ordinary processes. The general
principles Of neutrality and neutral
commerce are plain. The United
States will adhere vigorously to them.
Friendly intercourse, as far as Cir
cumstances permit, will be its rule
and it's procedure.
Stock exchanges have closed-a
wise precaution This country cannot
be the dumping ground Of the whole
body Of securities that War-mad Eu-
rope is anxious to convert into
money. The closing is temporary.
Elsewhere there is no prospect OF in
reference with the orderly pro-
cesses of American business. Stable
conditions are here. Al, we have to
do is to keep them stable.
The administration has decided to
appeal officially to the public to help
maintain existing satisfactory condi-
tions The public cannot fail to re-
spond. The only danger is one which
it may create itself It's course is
simple All it has to do is to sit
tight, to do nothing to disrupt the
fortunate condition in. which this
country happily finds itself.
Don't rock the roat-that's the cen
tral idea! The swell from the great
battleship, Europe" will be felt.
But it will not hurt us. It need not
even. break over the. sides. There's
nothing the matter with the boat
that we are in. Straight and strong,
! We1l-seamed, Wel1-eau1ked, Well-tim-
bered, with reasonable guidance it
will bear US safely and prosperously
| through.
Sit tight! Don't rock the boat!
Keep its head well up against the
|sea! Don't let itzget into the trough
fof the waves! Let every man realize
that at this moment calm confidence
and calm thankfulness are the first
duty. They are absolutely justified
by the favorable situation in which
we find ourselves. They are the GER
tain guarantee of a continuance of
those conditions.-Chicag Herald.