Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-02

man and woman IN America. II VIII
gain seriousness with every moment
that the answer is delayed.
THE MENACE OF THE DIssENTER
Chicago is one Of several cities in
America which are awakening sud
denly to the menace of the socialists
not as a growing organization. but as
an active minority which welcomes
into its ranks the renegade malcon.
tents from reputable political parties
and thriyes on the "solid citizens" In
terest in politics and elections.
Always the socialists have been op.
posed to existing governmental meth
DDS and conditions in America as in
other countries. Their opposition to
the present administration is nothing
new. It has attracted particular no
tice only because. with the nation at
war, opposition to the policies of the
government in that war constitutes or
approaches sedition, according to the
holiness or the cleverness of the dis
senter.
Since the first few weeks following
Americas entrance into the war the
rank and file socialist has held his
tongue, but less through feeling OF
loyalty. we suspect, than because OF a
fear of punishment for voicing, disloy-
atty. He finds opportunity for express
sion of his opposition to the govern
ment in local elections, with their
privilege of casting secret ballots be-
hind drawn curtains
New York has socialist ticket t.,
its city campaign, with Morris Hill
quit as candidate for the mayoralty
Hillquit, we believe, was one Of those
who was prevented from attending
the pro- German convention OF social
lists planned fer Stockholm. by the
threat that passports would be re-
fused him. There was a deal OF
grumbling then among the socialists
over what they were pleased to call a
denial of their rights. ls.
Chicago faces judicial election, in
which candidates from the republican
and democratic parties are to be OPP
posed by a ticket espoused by the
socialists. And the fear exists that
the minority may win in light vote.
The danger there is much greater
than in New York, where the munich
pal campaign always is fought to the
last ballot.
Other cities will encounter the
yelled menace Of the opponent Of the
administration before the war IL
brought to an end. And in every COM
munity it becomes the patriotic duty
of every loyal American to set aside
his party prejudices il need be in
order to insure the election OF loyal
officials, no matter how great nor how
small the duties or the honors Of the
ofiices may be.
It becomes a patriotic duty, as we'll.
for every loyal American to cast his
vote in every election, being sure 1t IL
counted on the side Of law, order and
good government. Apathy, always =
vice as it Affects its victims exercise
or neglect of the privilege of the bal
lot. becomes an offense against the
government in the present crisis.
The general term, socialists, is used
here advisedly. but 1t does not cover
all the organizations Of dissenters
which are Selling the present oppor-
tunity for a rallying Of those insidu-
GUS forces inimical to the government
which threaten Americas unanimity
in the prosecution of the war. The
nor.partisan league is one of these.
It has made conquest of North Da-
kota and is gaining in Minnesota.
South Dakota is feeling the effects of
its organization work and the same is
true Of Iowa and Nebraska to limit
ed extent
It is the agency under whose
wing Senator Lafollette made his no.
torious speech lin st. Paul. 1t is a
socialistic. even anarchistic move
ment which wells its dangerous feat
ures more or less cleverly under a
camoufiage OF announcements calc,t
lated to recruit the support Of the
farmer and the wage Garner. Its at
fluence is baneful, its doctrines are
dangerous and its leaders are not the
sort Of men to whom the nation can
turn with confidence at such a time
as this.
Loyalty. at this period Of the coun-
try's history, does not stop with the
production Of big crops. the purchase
of Liberty Bonds nor the expression
of sympathy with the cause for which
the United States government is
fighting. Loyalty demands constant
vigilance. answering devotion to the
policy of vigorous prosecution OF the
war for which the administration
stands, redoubled pride in the privi-
lege of the ballot and unfailing atten-
ton to the meaning of every vote we
cast.
The Courier surrenders none Of its
fealty to the principles of the republi-
can party in demanding that party
lines be erased wherever they threat
en- the interests Of the government
while the war is III progress. Not
even the certain knowledge that some
of the over-zealous spirits in the
democratic party are working indus
triously in the fabrication of vast
political machine changes our deter
mination to continue loyal till the
war is won. For until that object is
attained there can be no other aim