The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-09-15
PROTECTING THE REAR.


entered the army, wrote a letter
to one of the daily papers. He
concludes the letter with these
words, Before we cross the At
lantic we would like to know
whether or not all American citi-
zens are going to give us fair
fighting chance for our lives.
Are you going to stand back of
u.s. We can take care of the
front, but for God $ sake, we
plead, keep the copperheads and
hyenas from knitting us in the
rear.
1t is an acknowledged fact in
warfare that the rear guard is
necessary to act as a stonewall Of
defence in backing up the efforts
of those who are facing the enemy.
Treason in the front ranks is I'M
pardonable, but treachery in the
rear is intolerable. Those who
remain at home while their fell
lows are bearing the brunt Of
actual conflict abroad may be con
sidered the rear guard Of the ma
tional forces. Theirs is the duty
not only of furnishing supplies and
material equipment but of inspir-
ing courage and confidence in
those who are actually risking
their lives. The strongest inspir-
alton for those at the front is the
knowledge and the realization that
the people at home are with them
in harmonious unity. The fact
that the country as a whole is do
ing it's utmost to further the day
of victory and of peace, while
working in unison, is an added
stimulus to the boys abroad to put
forth their best and most unset
fish efforts that the dawn of peace
may soon break.
Through the perversity Of hui
man nature, however, every good
cause in this world seems to be
hampered by the dark methods of
those who are ever the enemies of
the right and the good, of peace
and order. The influence of cheap
politics was one Of the greatest
drawbacks to the success of the
North in our own Civil War. The
present unfortunate conflict has
suffered so far but little from this
source. 1t has suffered to some
extent, however, from the ma
chinations and the evil attempts
here and there throughout the
country to hamper the work of
regeneration. 1t is but natural
that foreign elements in our popu-
lation should be stirred to SYM
pathy for the land of their birth.
On the other hand, it is unnatural,
un-American and monstrous that,
after having been received with
open arms by this free and glori-
Gus Republic, they should now
turn and bite the hand that has
fed them. Most Of these people
have come to this. country poor,
unknown, and downtrodden. By
their thrift and through the OPP
portunities afforded them here
many have risen to positions of
wealth and prominence. What
ever their condition here today,
however, it little behooves them
to utter even a feeble protest
against the efforts of the Govern
ment when all Americans should
be united in securing peace.
The trouble with some foreign
ers is that, when they shook off
the social and economic shackles
that bound them in their native
land, and came here to enjoy free
dom, they persisted in carrying
over with them their old world
| political troubles. Some of them
have not yet learned that in
swearing allegiance to this coun-
| try they should allow the
dead to bury the dead in other
lands America is large and
broad; her riches are at the dis
posal of any man who can law
fully gain them; but the clear
atmosphere of American liberty is
too pure to tolerate the mephitic
yapors raised by any disloyal dis