Evening journal., 1917-04-23
WE MUST OBEY THE ORDERS OF OUR COMMANDER
IN CHIEF, THE PRESIDENT OF THE
TINTED STATFS
UNITED STATES.

UNITED STATES.
time OF the President OF the United states not
only is commander-in-chief OF the army and navy
but he also is the chief of the 100000
600 men, women and children who compose the ma
tion.
II We are to make adequate preparation for war and
are to wage war successfully it is OF first importance
that everyone Of us recognize the authority and the
power that is vested in commander-in-c that
only recognize it but accept it Loyalty and cheer
fully.
And having recognized and accepted this authority
and power it is the manifest duty OF everyone OF us
obey the orders OF commandeT-in-chi whether
OF not they meet with our approval
When we say everyone Of us" include the edi-
tors OF the 2S167 newspapers, periodicals and maya
zines in the country the 435 members OF the House Of
Representatives, and the 90 members OF the Senate
We hold that when democracy. through its repre-
sentatives in Con ess has declared war that the very
first sacrifice make for the period OF the war
is It's democracy.
II it is unwilling 10 do this then it should not de-
clare war; for is the antithess OF democracy.
They will mix than oil and water will mix.
We believe that the idea OF political libefty-that it
themselves which is the OF democracy-is the
most magnificent idea that originated in the brain
OF man.
We believe that nothing has done so much for the
progress and upft of the human race; that the whole
future OF mankind depends upon the preservation of
democracy wherever it exists and the substitution of
democracy for autocracy wherever autooracy exists
Worldwide democracy the end OF fol
the very simple that the ideal OF Democracy
peace War in the final analysis the clash Of ideals
When all the nations Of the earth the ideal
there will be world peace.
We express the foregoing truths because It {,
us that there is very great msconceptlon among al
classes OF people throughout the nation why th
United States has entered the world war and how Il
be effective now that It has entered It.
The popular conception seems to be that we shoult
60 forth to this great battle for world democracy
world peace as mob, fighting among ourselves re
fusing to obey any leadership other than opin
ions and prejudces
We have just as positive opinions as anyone as e
how the country should prepare for the with Ger
many and fight it,
In the main our opinions coincide with those OF on
commander m-chief. the President. as expressed il
his recent address to Congress when he asked tina
war be declared
But whether agree disagree. conceive il
be patriotic duty just it is the patriotic duty
every other American in Office out Of Office to ODE
orders-"to stand by the President"
One of the fundamentals OF the Presidents war plan
IS that should at raise an army by selectiy
conscripon instead OF depending upon the volunte,
system which has proven failure.
For nearly three weeks the very Congress that d
clared against Germany has refused to give II
commander-n-chief army with which TO fight, smp
because some of the members balk at the word COZ
scription.
II this sort of thing is persisted either in or
OF Congress- this country is headed straight for di
aster.
Debate and argument about any phase OF this WI
is permissible only up TO the time that the Preside
speaks.
When he speaks either must obey like patriot
soldiers refuse to obey like disoyal renegades.
Our commander-in chief has said that he wants
army raised by selective conscription; that the W
should be financed far practicable by direct tax
tion OF incomes and luxuries; that there must be
great increase in food production and food econom
that the government must build 5000 wooden ships
the next two years; that we must make common eau
with the Allies against German submarines; that
must continue to fight until German miltarsm h
been crushed.
In our opinion it is the duty OF everyone of
support this program to the limit of our influence
to the limit OF our physical financial intellect
ability
We are all soldiers in this great war and the fl
duty Of a soldier is to obey orders