The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-08-10
A LETTER
Editor Cash-Book:

Editor Cash-Book:
see from the papers over the Unit
ed States the people are talking and
in fact, are organizing home-protec-
ton companies to take the place OF
the men who will be called out for SER
vice in other lands. Now, what want
to know as reader of your paper is
whether or not true, red-blooded
American should feel under any obi
cation to protect the property OF a
pro-German against mobs which may
later form when lot of our boys get
killed in performing our duty to this
Government? These pro-Germans
are getting their living in this coun-
try, and if their sympathies are with
Germany it seems to me they ought
to look to the Kaiser to take care of
them and their property.
What do you think about it? Please
answer by letter or through the col
umns Of your paper, -
AMERICAN.
The above letter was received few
DAYS ago from one of our subscribers,
1t is the first written request that has
come to this office for information on
this question. but not the first time we
have heard the same question, in sub
stance, asked; therefore we shall an
swer through the columns of the pa
per.
In the beginning, we want to say
that we hope the time will not come
when the people of this country will
feel called upon to resort to mob law
or action to bring about retribution
for wrongs either actual or fancied,
Few indeed are the cases wherein the
action of mobs has been justifiable
There are no doubt some instances
where, because of corrupt or inefii-
cient officers and because of unusual
delay of punishment by law, mobs
have melted out justice. Such action,
however, should not be countenanced
nor even suggested, because, if al
lowed to go unchecked, it would de
stroy all respect for our laws which
protect life and property.
The significance of the question
asked in this letter is deeper than the
plain question itself. We are per
sonally acquainted with the author
and know that he is law-abiding cit
izen. We know that he is unduly eX-
ercised over a condition that should
not exist. Under ordinary conditions
he would be among the last men in
our list Of acquaintance that would
be thinking about the obligation OF
citizen, for the duties and obligations
of good citizenship are inseparably
linked with his character; but these
are unusual times and conditions. Our
country has been challenged to defend
our rights. We have accepted the
challenge and have sent thousands of
the young men of this country across
the ocean to defend with their lives
our rights and our freedom. The au-
thor of this letter has two sons who
heard their country's call and answer
ed by offering their services. Is it
any wonder that when he on the one
hand sees those who to him are dear
err than life itself offering their all to
their country, that the liberties we
now enjoy might be made safe for
future generations, and on the other
hand he sees towards and ingrates
and slackers who, while claiming citi-
zenship in this country, are not only
unwilling to make any sacrifices for
it but indicate by word and action that
their sympathies are with our enemy
who would destroy these liberties and
substitute the mailed fist-that he
asks the question whether the prop
erty of such a pretended citizen should
be protected by true citizen or not?
To the question of the obligation OF
"red-blooded American" towards
such a citizen we unhesitatingly say
no. No citizen who is loyal to his
country will help protect the property
or shield from the law traitor. A
man who claims to be a citizen of this
country and is for Germany in this
war is nothing short of traitor and
should be dealt with as such. His
property can and will be taken by the
Government if it is proven that he is
in any way giving aid or comfort tc
the enemy. If our subscriber has any
substantial information against any
such citizen or citizens he should make
it known to any man who is employed
by the Government. They are repuir-
ed to report to the proper officials any
such information. We advise this
knowing full we'll that there are many
cases where a hyphenate stays within
legal bounds, yet by his conduct shows
that his sympathies are not with this
country. Such an individual is really
more reprehensible than the outspoker
enemy. who at least cannot be charg-
ed with pharisaism and cowardice. A
secret enemy is always more to be
feared than an open enemy. He Is
more dangerous to our country, anc
should, when found out, be given the
punishment that in army circles is
given before sunrise. However, we
have courts, and will perhaps in the
near future have military councils
that will be vested with full authority
to handle all such cases, and it should
be left to them to pronounce the pen.
atty.
The above letter, with comment
was taken from the jackson Cash
Book, and is published in full because
it represents so nearly the position OF
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