The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-23
is THIS NATION
IN DANGER NOW?
Herbert Quick Tells His
Views to The West Vir-
ginian Readers.
(sY HERBERT ouIcK.)
written especially for the West
Virginian.)

written especially for the West
Virginian.)
Almost before we know it, congress
will be again in session. In fact. sew.
eral times since adjournment events
have assumed so threatening an as.
pect that a special session was ex'
pected. A special session may be
called at almost any time owing TO
some fateiul development of the
world war.
When congress meets it will face
the fact that we live ina new world.
New craftsmanship will be called
for.
The supremest test which Amen.
can craftsmanship has ever met VIII
be faced BY the senators n repre-
sentatfves whom We chose two years
ago because they were good fellows,
or because We habituaIly voted with
the party which nominated them.
None Of them were elected because
OF their fitness TO deal With the omln'
Gus situation which %confronts us-a
world in arms. our citizenship split
into coatending factions by foreign
sympathieS and foreign Slush funds.
our attacked by enormous
~ powerful nations with the desper'
alton felt by mighty peoples batting
with their backs to the wall
An Incredible, a fearsome change
has transformed the great family OF
nations. One day we lived in a world
Of friends and brothers. over night
they became ravinS manlacs. slaugh-
tering savageS. not only cutting eacn
others threats. but insisting that We
take sides in their Combats.
We thought we were safe; but are
We safe?
If We are not safe. what can we do
TO lessen our danger?
These are questions which congress
must face when 1t meets. These are
questions which we as voters and Cit
liens are forced to face.
This nation does not belong to con
gress. II belongs to us. II stands
for the most precious body OF liber'
ties and good auguries for the future
Of any nation in the world. We have
been struggling TO free ourselves from
corruption and l~ittlenesS and evils,
and we have been making progress.
Never were the prospects for better
things brighter than when this war
broke out.
In spite Of her greatness in organi'
zation and intellect, Germany might
be crushed without any such loss to
the human race as would come from
the Europeaniaing Of the United
States OF North America.
In spite OF her intellectual and ar
tistic splendor and her passion for
equality, France might be crushed and
not so rob the future Of the race as
il the United States were forced back
from her attained position and made
to play the game Of Europe.
In spite Of the fact that she has
been the great upholder OF the prin'
cfple OF liberty and democracy which
must redeem the world II 1t is re-
deemed, Great Britain might be
crushed and that principle yet live;
but II the American nation Is lost to
democracy, democracy itself may be
lost.
Are we. as a nation, In danger? II
we are, does Congress know 1t? II
we are IN danger, will Congress have
the greatness OF spirit which great
danger should evoke. and act greatly
and wisely?
II we are In danger, will congress
possess such a sense OF 1t as TO cause
il TO forget pa~rtisanship and partisan
advantage: The warning nations for
got these things. In Great Britain,
in France, In Italy. in Germany. when
the great war broke out, 1t was uni
versally felt that parties were ooso'
lete. and that men who we're opposed
10 each other in July could not, as