Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-05-05
SEE THE VISION.

is no vision, the people perish
The people are seeing the vision, not
withstanding congress continues to
daddle. In the light of European con-
ditions the people are waking up to
the fact that to a great extent the de-
velopment of our country has been of a
haphazard character. That we have in
way been doing the pioneering work
Of civilization and the utilizing of the
resources nearest to hand and most
easily developed, without giving a
thought to the broader coordination of
the railroads, the steel, iron and chem
icaI industries. We have been taking
scarcely no account of war possibili-
ties or the conditions that will most
surely follow the war as relates to the
REIMBURSEMENT of international affairs
when the war is over. We have been
looking upon these things solely from
tie viewpoint of the pioneer or the
beginner who enters upon the settle
ment of a new country We have gone
on without any fixed idea as to the
future, trusting almost wholly upon the
future to take care of itself, having in
mind merely the immediate opportun-
tiles, and the necessities Of the mo-
ment without any thought or consid-
Grafton of the future, or what it would
bring forth,
That we have done well in this
pioneer work, there is no question, the
fact remains, however, that we have
not gone far enough We have builded
as it were upon the sand, and now we
are confronted with the problem of
how best can we make ourselves safe
and sure of our foundation, and the
better prepare for the emergencies
with which we are bound to be con-
fronted, The country has seen the
vision and are brought face to face
with the fact that to be safe we must
be prepared
We have created mighty enterprises.
We have built nearly half the worlds
railroad mileage, though we have only
about per cent of the worlds popuIa-
ton and about per cent of the worlds
lard area. We produce about so per
cent. of the total steel and
iron output, as well as about
80 per cent. of the coal supply.
Likewise we are growing about 60 per
cent of the worlds cotton and in
many lines of the worlds mineral ac-
tiyity we are producing about so per
cent of the worlds output. And so far
as wealth is concerned we are piling
it up at rate that fairly staggers the
human mind. That these things have
been possible is because of the Him
liable advantages and resources of
this country provided by nature, and
so much so that we could have hardly
prevented this amazing development
had we wanted to do so. 1t is an ac-
knowledged fact that our very econ
omic strength has forced this growth
and the marvellous wealth of the
country. And while Europe is spend
L her millions upon top of millions
Tor war we are accommodating billions
out Of our constructive and industrial
activities.
We are piling up wealth to such an
extent that we are fast becoming the
envied Of all nations, the result of
which will be that other nations will
become covetous of our possessions.
and unless we take time by the fore
lock and prepare for this emergency
we are sure to be the losers thereby.
Under our present conditions and be-
cause of the unpreparedness of our
country at the present time we could
become the easy prey to the cupidity of
some country or the object of revenge
for some strong nation when this war
is over.
Owing to the horrors of the war
across the water we believe our peo-
'llp are haoiDOinp IN cao tbo ,,;e;o,, -, !