Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-08-29
The REAL Stacker


A lot is being said about the slack
ers. men and women who fail to APP
preciate the gravity of our conflict
with Germany, and who are failing TO
do their part in helping to insure the
success Of our country in the war.
At first applied only to those who
sought means Of escaping army SER
vice, it has come to include all who
are contributing to Germany ssuccess
by hostile sentiment towards our own
government and destinations to aid the
nation. Very often the term is mis-
applied, because not everybody is a
Stacker who fails to find immediate
opportunity to do his or her bit.
Many will find that opportunity and
prove their patriotism when the time
comes.
But the word has not been applied
in one direction where il rightfully
should be, and that is to the men in
congress who are doing all in their
power to- magnify their own i'm
portauce by obstructing war meas
ures. The opportunity for such men
is great. 1t is impossible to enact per-
feet legislation in times of peace, and
il is all'the more so in times of war,
when thousands Of problems are
pressing for solution. Therefore it is
easy to find excuses for holding back
one dill or another while senators
and congressman air their supposed
ly superior wisdom. But instead of
coming forward with amendments or
drafts of better laws, the critics con
tent themselves with mere obstructive
tactics. Such men are the real slack
ers. Where an individual may do
some harm by neglect or failure to
aid. these public servants are prevent
ing the government from entering in
TO the vigorous prosecution of the
war which is so vital TO the nation.
There will be many mistakes made
in the conduct of the war. No nation
ever failed TO make even great mis-
takes under. similar conditions. Even
Germany with her marvellous organi-
zation for making war developed in
period of forty years, has made
many mistakes in administration.
The real statesman, however, is the
one who works constructively 10 les
sen the number of errors and not the
one who contributes TO greater errors
by obstruction.
The one vital project before the
people is to prepare our country for
this great war. We will emerge from
the conflict the first nation on earth.
if we win, and only third rate nation
if We lose Every moment is valuable,
and the entire resources of the gov
eminent of the people will be drawn
upon to insure victory. Lack Of pre-
paration will mean lack of success.
We must be in line when the often
sive starts next spring. Every delay
now, means death TO that many more
of our brave soldiers. Obstruction
now is not only aid to the enemy but
it will prove 10 be a serious drawback
TO our troops when they are in the
field. Our soldiers will have to pay
with their lives for the false glory
which some congressman are trying
to obtain by delaying war measures.
These congressional slackers should
subside. They may imagine that they
are making history, but it is not of
the kind to be proud of. They may
think they are deriving some political
advantage from their position but they
are not They are simply holding back
through use of congressional rules,
the great energy and power of the
people who are determined to see this
war through to a finish and to sue
cesstul finish at that. The congress
men who cannot help in the fight
should at least be decent enough to
stop interfering with those who can.
The congressional Stacker should be
given a back seat IN the backwoods
Of his own misunderstanding OF State
Merin Hull in his Jackson County
Journal.