Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-04
KINDLY METHODS
URGED BY LEWIS
sa,s More Can Be Accomplished
Through Tact Than Force In
Dealing With N0n.Patriots.
ARE APT TO BE misunderstood
Expresses Opinion That In Many In
stances Innocent Statements Are
Grossly exaggerated.

measures in dealing with average
rases OF those guilty of making sedi- !
tious utterauCes against the United |
states and It's war policy, United |
states Senator James Hamilton Lewis, !
I'M an address before the Rock Island
county neighhorhood committee OF
state council OF defense yesterday aft
erpoy1 az Memorial hall, at the court
house. preached doctrine that
excited much interest
He said that he believed that in
many instances inappropriate" things
we're said against the government as
tine result Of passion or senseless de-
hate and argument by people who
we're truly patriotic though indiscreet
and said that a great deal OF harm
was being done against innocent and
right-meaning people through the ex-
aggerauons OF alleged statements Of
disloyaly.
when your neighbor says some
thing against Uncle Sam that's not
right" continued the senator, ut is
not usually necessary to notify the
federal officers Take him to one side
and calmly and sanely discuss the
subject as you would a matter of
church or business. Tell him in a
Christian spirit that his remark is
liable 10 be misunderstood; that you
are sure he didn't mean to say
thing that would be prejudical to the
United states and nothing ought to
be said that would in any way hinder
the government in the prosecution of
the war.
IF you adopt this kind of procedure
Won viii almost invariably find that
your ueighbor at heart is a true Amer
lean and that he has thoughtlessiy
made statements that did not repre-
sent his real feeling. How stories do
spread Some little innocent remark
is told and retold until soon it has
been transformed into slanderous libel
against the country and the whole
community is turned against the
speaker He and his family are iso-
lated and there springs up a disturb
ing spirit Of enmity that is injurious
70 higher ideals.
Average Man Loyal.
"Tne average American doesn't 60
around boasting about his loyalty &c
bis family and telling how he would
fight to uphold the honor and integrity
OF his home because he takes it fol
granted that every one knows what
is his attitude In much the same
way, the average American says little
about his loyalty TO his country in its
hour Of crisis because his convictions
are so well understood as TO require
no comment BY his very silence ht
Is indicating that his patriotism ii
not the kind that needs to be paradet
but is Of the deep, sincere type tina
impresses because of his unostenta
tious character
"Of course there may be the I'm
usual case where man deliberatel,
and purposely maligns the govern
ment and seeks 10 create a hostil
feeling against It. Then it is you
unQuestioned duty TO report the sam
TO the authorities and this should b
an agreeable task for you, since yo
will have the satisfaction of KNOWN
that the service is performed for you
country"
Az the conclusion OF his talk. a
opportunity was given for all presen
To meet the senator and he was the
driven to Rock Island arsenal wher
he evidenced a great interest in tn
work which is being done there.
Previous to the arrival of the states
man, States Attorney F. E. Thompso
called the meeting to order and mad
brief talk in which he outlined som
OF the duties of the neighborhood CON
mittee which has been formed for tn
purpose OF keeping alive patriotism
throughout Rock Island county. H
then turned the meeting over to G.
Stephens. Moline, who introduce
Senator Lewis.
After his departure. H. NJ SChrive
acted as chairman OF the gatherin
and a number were called on for shoi
talks Andrew Olson. Moline, toe
issue with the view expressed by Sci
ator Lewis in dealing with those NAL
ing seditious utterauces and conten'
ed that nothing could be accomplish
through a gentle method of procedur
Il grant that people living in th
country. who were born in German
may regret TO see the fatherland
war but these same people came
this country because of the privilege
and opportunities offered here. Tit
have had months In which to tai
stock of their convictions and 10 a
certain on which side they care
stand The man who is not square
With us ia dead against us. There
no middle ground It's time for
showdown"
Wants Everybody Listed.
William Butterworth, Moline, sa
that he had just returned from fl
weeks stay in Washington and W
Impressed with the industry display
by the officials who are working d
and night in preparing the nation
20 its share in the war. He said In
every one in every community oug
to be doing something for the Cover
meut and suggested that citizens
every township should be listed
show what they are doing for the 7
ton, which plan has been adopted
England.
Our boys are going to lick
kaiser. all right" he said in cone
sion, but they need the encourat
ment from the sideltnes which
ought 10 furnish
4 ringing patriotic talk was ma
by Miss Lou M. Harris, county sup
'atendent OF schools. She said
was anxious to instill in the youth
right attitude toward the, UNI
States and said that the work OF
heighborhood committee would be
'aestimable value in this.
Guy V. Petit. Reynolds and NJ
AcEniry and A. G.. Abrahams, Moli
rIsl,., farm