El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-10-25

(By H. H.. Windsor, in the November
Number of Popular Mechanics Magazine)
1t is fitting that we should cheer the boys
as they go forth to camp and front, but there
Is a no less important work for all Of us
who remain. The very spirit of freedom
of personal belief and action which brought
this nation into being, and preserved 1t
through more than a century, has had the
inevitable result of making US too easy-go-
ing and tolerant Of many things. What If
the mar who fled his own country, or came
here to secure for himself and family the adj
yantages his fatherland denied them, did
speak with disrespect and even contempt
of this free land of his choice? His only one
voice in a multitude, and so, what did it mat
ter? The melting pot would eventually re-
fine him and eliminate the dross That at
titude, though wholly wrong in ordinary
times. becomes criminal in days like these.
Moreover, the giant is beginning to rub his
eyes and discover that the voice comes not
from unrefined metal, but from pure dross,
and when organized by years of skilful pro.
gaganda, and fostered by foreign gold Gre
ates a condition which as yet is not realiz-
ed. 1t seems repugnant to question the sin
certify and motives of those living in the
same block, with whom we ride to and
from our daily work, who have been ever
respected citizens in our W community.
The Belgians and French and English in
whose homes and schools and offices Ger
man spies by thousands had been living and
serving a~cceptably for years, once indignant
ly repudiated any thought of insincerity.
They have since learned their bitter lesson,
and are we also to learn our lesson by the
same costly method, or shall we profit by
their experience?
Is it conceivable that the hundreds OF in
cendiary fires and bombs in factories and
harbors; the inspired strikes in all parts of
the land; the concealed and open hostility
to all efforts properly to equip and defend
ourselves during the past three years, were
all due to special agents sent over here for
the express purpose? Or was it part Of the
same insidious worldwide spy system
which in time Of peace honeycombed the
departments of national government in
every land, reaching in its audacity and in
science even to the spending of money in
the attempt to bride our own Congress?
There can be but one answer; and there
SliOulu uC Uut IL VI LAX CFil.
We will have to awaken to the danger
which lurketh in darkness and in self-pro-
lection nerve ourselves to the extreme,
drastic punishment which all nations, in all
times, have melted out to the traitor and
Are we prepared as individuals
and communities to do this; is public senti-
ment strong enough to inme and up
hold the government when it shall take your
next-door neighbur red-handed in assistance
to the enemy, and a court-martial having
unquestionably established his guilt, sen
tence him to the firing squad; what will be
position in such a case? Is your love
of your country, whom the convicted one
tried to destroy and done his bit to de-
into the hands o fthe enemy, strong
enough for you to say Amen" or will you
weaken and plead immunity Tin this one
case?"
Thousands who read these words have,
with sad yet glad hearts, parted with sons
and brothers and relatives who have begun
their journey to the front. There they will
face bullets and shells and poison gases.
Shall you and /, at home, be any less brave
in e~xacting the extreme penalty of those who
are fighting our boys, not face to face as
soldiers, but drought the most cowardly
and insidious methods behind their backs
There is no danger of misjudging any
one, for there is now no middle ground
either you are an American to your last
drop of blood or are not.
Z The giant is rubbing his eyes; you can by
your own pronounced expression do your
bit to fully open those eyes.