Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-16

PATRIOTISM RUNS. HIGH.
A magnificent spirit of patriotism
pervaded the meeting and was expressed
in the various speeches that were MADE.
July was selected as the date for the
reason that it will be a holiday with
all business suspended. so that every
body can march, and for the further
reason that it is the birthday of Ameri-
can independence, and therefore
peculiarly appropriate day for a pa
triotic preparedness demonstration.
There was nothing warlike or mill
taristic in the slightest degree in any
of the speeches, but there was very
earnest feeling that the United states
cannot afford to take the risk OF an at
tack by a foreign power, and that the
most thorough preparation should and
must be made for national defense.
Attention was called to the fact that
President Wilson has declared prepared
ness to be the imperative duty of the
nation, and that the president HIM
self was marching at the head OF
Preparedness Parade in Washington at
the very hour when the meeting in the
Chamber of Commerce was held.
AS evidence of the statewide in
terest in Atlanta's plans for prepared
ness Parade, "a number of letter were
read from citizens in various cities and
towns assuring Atlanta of their sup
port and suggesting that people through
out the state would be glad TO come
here on the day of the parade ana
participate in the demonstration.
SPEAKERS ENTHU SIASTIC,
Major John s. Cohen, managing editor
of The Journal. was called upon by
Chairman Nell r. Wilkinson TO state the
purpose of the meeting. He said cities
throughout the country are holding Pre-
paredness Parades to demonstrate the
PEOPLES belief that the United States
should be adequately organized and pre-
pared to defend itself in case of at
tack, and Atlanta, which is no less in
terested than all other cities, should
take a conspicuous part in the general
country wide movement by holding a
parade that will be a credit to the city
and the state.
Mrs William Lawson Pell, who was
next called upon, said: In answer to
the earnest plea of the president of the
United States, we want to show our
interest in preparedness, and in so do
ing we want to maintain the prestige
Of the city Of Atlanta. Every organiza-
ton in the city should participate, and
let the women of Atlanta march in one
great body, not as members of any par
ticular organization but as lovers of
their city and their country"
William S. Wier said: Il heartily in
dorse the movement for holding a pre-
paredness parade. I know of nothing
that makes a stronger appeal to me
than this plan for bringing Atlanta to
the forefront of patriotic American
cities and of rejuvenating the old-time
Atlanta spirit by "a general demonstra-
ton in which all the people can partici-
pate. u am not authorized to speak for
any body of men in the community, but
| feel safe in saying that the men in
the various trades with which l am af-
Inflated will certainly cooperate and be
well represented in the line OF march,
would like to see 10000 men walking
through the streets of this city on the
Fourth of July"
NO SECOND FIDDLING FOR US.
Mayor James G. Woodward said IL
Believe this country should play second
fiddle to no other nation on the face of
the earth. l believe we should have a
navy that can whip the navy of any
other power. Then L believe we should
be adequately equipped with coast de-
lenses. Let us place ourselves in a posi-
ton where we can destroy the enemy
before he lands on our shores-in the
event we should ever be attacked"
Walter p. Andrews, Fulton county
representative in the legislature, said:
II feel deep interest in this movement
for Preparedness Parade The Amer
lean people are as patriotic as any peo-
pei on earth. but we need great occa-