Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-04-25
ole Call Of the Pres
ent and the Past.
Our Present Peril.

three years ago to-day our mighty
down our rifle for the hoe, our saber
for the plow, and our sword for the
pen, and go home and rebuild the
fortunes OF our devastated land, and
take care Of the women and children.
We have faithfully done that, and
the white dove Of peace has been
spreading her silver-wingS over this
great republic for tifty-three years.
to our laDd. There is nothing that
we all want so much as peace; but
not at the price Of honor. Germany
has gone back to the Dark Ages to
carry on her warfare; she has with
her submarines secretly murdered
non -combatants--men, women and
| children-often while asleep, with
out warning, or the thought of
mercy, on the high seas. The lanes
Of the sea belong to no nation; they
are open to the world. The German
submarines unrestricted use is
war of assassination. Vessels of
every kind, whatever their flag,
their character. their cargo, their
destination, their errand, have been
ruthlcssly sent to the bottom. Ger
many has flooded orr land with spies
, and agents. who have long been Sc
crctly plotting our ruin. Germany
has insulted the American flag.
The paper that the President read
before Congress was second only to
the Declaration Of Independence.
, Not one word too much, not one
word too little, was uttered. His
words breathed war-like spirit;
that is unlike his normal self. The
deception and diabolical deeds Of
Germany caused him to appear in
somewhat new role. The righteous
wrath which he evidenced leads one
to believe that just before he penned
that marvellous document he must
have read the lines Of Shakespeare:
"In peace there's nothing becomes a
AS modest stiffness and humanity;
But when the blast of war blows in
our ears,
Then initiate the action Of the tiger,
Stlfcn the sinews. summon the
blood"
America has been refuge for
| Nnnp1o pe oil 81;
, tribes for over a hundred years.
They came to enjoy liberty and Iaee-
dom, and they have all the while
| claimed protection under "The
Flag" The time has come for every
man, native or foretgn-born, to de-
fend that flag in the face Of foreign
foe. America expects every one to
do his full duty in this war for hui
manity and democracy, whether IL
be in making food stuffs or on the
battle line. Our forefathers purchas-
ed this liberty which we enjoy with
their lives. and sealed it with their
blood and it Is not for sale at any
price, much less for mess of Ger
man pottage. The curse of God will
rest upon any man who will not
fight for his home and country when
it is necessary. Curse we Meroz,"
said the angel Of the Lord: Course
ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof,
because they came not up to the help
OF the Lord, to the help Of the Lord
against the mighty"
A mans home is where he places
his shiagle and bakes his bread.
That is his castle, and no man can
put him out. Just so it is with our
country: We must uphold the honor
and dignity Of the nation and her
flag. | for one am standing with
the President and the powers that be
at Washington, and will stand right
under the American flag and say, in
the language of Patrick Henry:
"Forbid it. Almighty God, that
should ever submit to any selfish au-
tocratic power! Give me liberty, or
give me death" 1t is the duty Of
every true citizen to look out for the
German spies; they are here as thick
as wood-rats. posing as book agents,
crown princes OF India, etc They
should be caught and confined; and
let them be annthema mnranatlia.
Every alien among us must keep
his mouth shut and attend strictly
TO his own business" says the Presi-
dent.
May the day soon come when the