Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-02-08
BEING AMERICANS.

In Saturdays issue The Argus re
published an editorial appearing in the
Chicago Tribune Of that day. which.
because OF its patriotic ring and broad
minded appeal ought to put 10 shame
some OF the small fry republican press
which 10 preaching the doctrine OF
rOr-suppOEt respecting every policy
the present national administration
advances.
4 In its tone Of sincerity and true
I Amerlcauism this editorial is similar
20 the expressions OF the democratic
press during the Spanish-American
I var. when newspapers OF the opposite
political faith uuitedly appealed 10
all citizens 20 lay aside their preju-
diess and stand by the president in
the time OF national crisis. Mckinley.
though elected as a republican. had
no more loyal supporters in the great
body OF the citizens. the army and
navy and the press than the democrats
were
Therefore. II r. meet that republican
newspapers generally. and particular
I y the bone-hsaded ones which repeat
! over and over that the emergency war
tax has been forced on the people By
that dull times are due 20 democratic
policies. consider well what their
statements really signify. These only
make themselves ridiculous. for every
thinking person knows, first. that
democrats have not advocated free
trade and second. that the extent oil
the nations deficit IS measurable eX-
actly by the extent 20 which II de
ponds upon the tariff for its revenues.
So far as the effect on general con-
ditious Is concerned II must be a thick
headed person. indeed. who holds the
average OF American intelligence so
low as 70 be deceived by the assertion
that the mere potential policies OF
any political party figure largely on
such an international situation as now
exists II will be sufficient for the or
binary person 10 know that foreign
trade TO a large extent has been cut
of and foreign credits suspended. One
need not 20 far from Rock Island. for
instance to find implement manufac-
turers who have great quantities OF
their products tied up in Europe and
millions OF dollars due which they
have no chance whatever 10 collect.
These same interests have found their
Canadian accounts uncollectable and
have been informed by the British I
government that II they press their ]
claims they may expect 10 lose their 4
charters to do business across the /
border Such conditions affect not enc 4
industry. but nearly all. and they cut /
only a relatively small figure in the 4.
general decentralization which has ere
ated an extraordinary situation.
What has come Is just what Presi-
dent Wilson predicted at the outset
when he called attention 20 the fact
that a tremendous var could not fail
TO bring burdens and privations upon
this and every other country. whether
actively involved or strictly neutral
Il IS fortunate for the country that II
has at the helm a level-headed presi-
dent. whose calm deliberation and
may be relied upon TO 1
keep Il out OF unnecessary trouble /
II Is up TO the people Of America ,
10 stand together soiidly 10 succor
hose who are less fortunate. to do {
shat they can to share the information !
II calamity which has befaiien us all 4
md 20 work for the return OF peace .
II IL a poor time 10 SOW mines in
he path OF the ship OF state {