Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-08-12
SIT TIGHT.
Don't Rock The Boat.
From the Chicago Herald


From the Chicago Herald.)
Sit tight! Don't rock the boat!
That's the watchword 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 to its course-a absolutely
all it needs.
Business conditions are sound. We
have one of the greatest grain
crops in history. It's value has al
ready greatly advanced. We have
a sound financial system, backed by
the greatest store of gold in the
world Our banks are solid, safe.
There is nothing the matter with
the United States.
War will mean an unprecedented
demand for suppliesl Experts de-
clare American business will feel a
great impetus. While other nations
destroy, this country will produce.
While other nations are armed
camps, this country will be a farm,
a factory, a forge. Trade extension
is predicted in all directions. The
immediate future is plain.
The national administration is
acting wisely, promptly. The sum
of 100000, 1000 is available, under
the Aldrich-Vreeland act, for an
emergency. The organization of the
reserve board will soon be com
plete. This will enable us to deal
more effectively with the outflow OF
gold. Plans are perfecting to per.
nit American registry of foreign
vessels. This will protect and de-
velop our commerce.
We are preparing to maintain
strict neutrality. Questions may
arise with foreign nations as to
what constitutes contraband. Such
questions cannot conceivably in
volve us in difficulties. They will be
settled by the ordinary processes
The general principles of neutrality
and neutral commerce are plain
The United States will adhere rig.
orously to them. Friendly inter
course, as far as circumstances per.
NIT, will be it's rule and its proce.
dure.
Stock exchanges have closed-s
wise precaution. This country can
not be the dumping ground of the
whole body of securities that war
mad Europe is anxious to CONVEX
into money. The closing is temper
airy. Elsewhere there is no prospec
/ of interference with the orderl.
processes of American business. Sta
BILE conditions are here. All We have
! to do is to keep them stable.
| The administration has decided
to appeal officially to the public tt
help maintain existing satisfactor!
conditions. The public cannot fai
to respond. The only danger is on,
which it may create itself. IT
course is simple. All it has to do il
to sit tight, to do nothing to dis
rupt the fortunate condition il
which this country happily finds it
self.
Don't rock the boat-that's thu
central idea! The swell from the
great battleship, Europe" will b.
felt. But it will not hurt us. Il
need not even break over the sides
There's nothing the matter with the
boat that we are in. Straight and
strong, we'll scanned, well-caulked
well-timberd, with reasonable guild
ance it will bear us safely and pros.
perously through.
Sit tight! Don't rock the boat!
Keep it's head well up against the
sea! Don't let it get into the trough
of 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 continuance of
those conditions