The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-05-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washin gton d. c.,
May 18th, 1915.

N.Y. 'AiJ - ~
Sometimes our mental composura
is terrifically tested There are two
principals which always elicit from
the people impassioned outburst.
That is to say we have our spasmo-
dies or intellectual impetuosties
which are generally called into play
on the occasion of some great oc-
curance.
A deed of extraordinary kindness.
of great daring is almost invariably
greeted with extreme rhapsodial ex-
pressions. And so is one of unusual
barbarity or shocking cruelty, al
ways followed with aroused and
stormy expressions of the strongest
denuciations. Neither class can be
trusted to render impartial Judge
ment. Some on the spur of moment
would rear a monument to a would
be performer of great deed in res
ponse to popular clamor or fight
at the drop of your hat to avenge
a reported atrocity without the
slightest investigation in either
case. The people are to be congrat.
ulated that neither of the above men
toned classes are ever clothed with
grave responsibility.
1t is fortunate indeed that we
have in authority men of great equi-
poise, who can wait until the facts
are all in before passing up a deci-
sion.
1t is astounding to me how even
the passions of war times can so
= befog the reasoning faculties of the
people, and so harden their hearts
as to fail to appreciate the unsur-
passed and superb neutrality of the
United States toward all the comba-
tants in the European war. What
shall we do is the pertinent question
of the hour?" (Keep cool.) The
first influence that we should rever-
emily recognize is che ability, cour-
age and patriotism of those the
people have put into authority TO
successfully handle emergencies as
they arise.
Perhaps there are three classes
that are or will be fairly active in
times like these, two of them at least
extraordinarily so, first there are
those who enthusiastically urge
fighting without having become in
telligently informed as to the pre-
misses.
Second there are those who will in
sist upon war provided they can get
some big or small bomb proof posi-
tion, there is the third and only
class that we can rely on and who
should be consulted, who wish to
advance cautiously counting the
cost as they proceed, weighing care
fully the consequences of war, they
do not want war unless it becomes
logical and imperative necessity
to preserve our national honor. They
do not ask for position, their only
ambition is a place in the rank and
file whenever stern duty calls them
This class of people is observing con
servative silence now.
l shall not attemp an expression
of personal opinion as to the blame
of any of the recent occurrences that
have so disturbed the peaceful quies-
ude of the United States because l
think it the plain duty of the people
to confidingly leave that to those
bearing the responsibility who are
in possession of ample opportunity
OF knowing ali the facts.
Every one regrets exceedingly and
inexpressibly the idea that we have
war and without conjunction of
conscience can assert that it exists
without any good reason. What
commentary upon the civilization of
the day, men engaged in the shock
ing, nefarious, indescribable and
most uncalled for business of killing
each other. Trying to extend the
scope of their unholy, perfectly use
less and wicked business to the in
nocent. 1 believe it is contended
that the spilling of human blood
has marked every great advance
ment and can it be that there
is no progress without the spill
ling of the blood of the brave?
Are we about on the eve of
another great advancement and