Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-17
For National Unity

lJhESlDENI WILSON'S appeal to tho
American people is appeal to con-
science as we'll as to patriotism. 1t Is 4 call
for service and a call for sacrifice. More than
all. it is an imperative demand for national
unity. which loyal men and women cannot
disregard.
First of all, must fight To the mind
OF the President this duty is so clear as to
require no argument, and lie does not argue
1t. We must have a greater navy-we have
a great navy already-and great army, but
IN the meantime we must produce enormously,
as wei Tor our own people and for own
sailors and soldiers. rs for those who fight
our battles beyond tho seas. We must pro-
vlde transportation. in quantities almost
hmitless for these products of factory mine
and farm. We must economic consumption
as diligently and as intelligently and as
periodically as we increase production This
Is the time says the President. for America
10 correct her objectionable fault of waste
fulncss and extravagance'
lhere lies the nations duty. and it Is for
every one of us. man or woman young or Old
rich or poor. to take up his share of the bur
oen OIL defense. Wars are no longer wars
OF mere armies, tut of peoples. None can
evade service and maintain self-respect.
Whatever we arc fitted to do, that we must do
The one way to wage this struggle is in
earnest and complete corporation, military
and economic. with Germany's other enemies
Any other policy would be a folly so gross
as to excite the worlds scorn OF course the
government at Washington never has con-
sidered any other policy. but evidences are
not lacking that some alleged Americans are
OF another mind. Movements have been
started to place an embargo-think OF til
on exports of food to other countries This
is treason. There is a newspaper in New
YORK which attempts to differentate between
support of the United States and support OF
oh To ho
and its editor placed in Jail. Unless our
declaration OF war is itself fraud It is our
imperative duty to support England. France
Russia and Italy in their every effort 10 de-
feat German autocracy and establish world
freedom and democracy
That Is the task to which we must address
ourselves. This. in effect is the appeal
President Wilson makes. The supreme test
OF inc nation has COME he says. eve must
all speak. act and serve together"
30 We must, and only may we gain one
OF the great compensations which tho war
o'ters this people. internationally We fight
LOT democracy-for free government for the
right of every nation to life liberty and han
plness, for the loyal observance of treaty
obligations-but nationally we fight that
America avcnging her own wrongs NAV re-
cover her own soul. Even if that aspiration
be unconscious, 1t yet exists The soul of
America has been at odds with itself The
S',tN1'N' VI 'hO "eitluS pot mas Dcen exceeded.
we have not assmilated the myriads of
foreign immigrants who have come to orr
shores and America, to many of them. has
beeh residence. not home; n place rather
than a country
Amid the clash of arms and in the clear
iisht OF universal suffering and sacrifice,
America must find herself From this world
strife she must emerge united For that i'm
measurable blessing she can afford to nav
great price.