The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-06-27
THE MARCH OF THE COUNTRY.

l
Springfield, Mass, Republican-lt
has become the habit of promoters Of
| the Red Cross campaign, as it has
| long been the practice of public speak
ers and writer's, to complain that the
American people do mot appreciate
that we are at war or what it means
to us. The indictment was quite true
at an earlier stage in the national
awakening but we are disposed to
doubt it's applicability now. The peo-
pie of the United States have gone a
ng way on the road to that awaken
ing to war conditions that was vital to
the serious and thoroughgoing per-
formance of our part in securing the
victory for the allies that must be won.
If the orators of the present will stop
to observe existing conditions, they
will discover that the American peO-
pie are doing what and all that is
being asked of them. Congress has
been slow to legislate, and this has
begOtten q sense of Impotence
throughout the country, but in view
of the extraordinary demands it has
become incumbent OH the administr;a-
ton to make, this hesitency of the
lawmaking body need not be wonder
ed at. That is the way of democracy.
When it comes to the people, there is
far less confusion of mind and lack
of clear purpose.
What the country has been called
upon to do, it has done we'll. Think
for moment of the magnificent re-
Spouse that has come. Nationwide
registration went on without distur-
bance. and with an inclusiveness that
leaves only a negligible modicium. OF
slackers. The Liberty loan appeal was
thusiasm that exhibits the purpose of
the people to stand behind their gov
ernment.- Everyone hears expressions
Of the purpose to payswar taxes cheer.
fully as the demand may come. ORTIZ
zens gladly advanced the payment of
income taxes upon the suggestion OF
the government that such action
would be helpful Our young men are
ready to do their duty when the draft
comes. With that in prospect, en-.
listments may not have been SO gen;
eral as would have been the case If
only the volunteer system mad been
the avenue to service in the army and
navy. but there is no lack of patriotic
purpose. &c..
Not only are the people determined
to do their part in this crisis, but
those before whom clear path does
not open, are seeking to find out how
they can best render service. The
voluntary work for the common cause
is without precedent in the nations
history. Nothing could be palmer
than that the spirit OF the people
the desire to serve is the predominant
ing thought. There are inevitable
delays in advancing the large prepare
lions which those in authority must
make, but all whose business this is,
are busy at the task and making pro-
gress. The feverish insistence on re-
suits outruns the possibility of achieve
ment, but the forward movement of
the United States goes steadily on,
and with less confusion than might
have been anticipated.
In every city and town throughout
the country, the people are busily
promoting the success of the 500, OOO.-
600 Red Cross fund. They understand
the bearing of the duty that is put
llnOn them and are performing it.
Men and women are not only ready
to give now, but they are reckoning
with the certainty that present
achievement will be followed by 9TH
er demands that must be as readily
met, This nation is no longer indiff-
erent and unawake to the call OF the
time, but alert, purposeful, resolute,
to do and to undergo sacrifices In the
progress beyond what we have ever
known before. The people understand,
and they are doing their job. This
result does not come of itself, but
through the organized push that will
not be relaxed until the great object
has been amply, ACCOMPLISHED. if It
be necessary for the people to increase
their. first subscriptions this. will be