Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-03
"There'S No Such Blood in Ne.

Patriotism and common sense of the sterling
American sort ring clear in Congressman W. c..
Adamson's reply to resolution from certain OF
his constituents in the Fourth Georgia district
protesting against the Draft act. After reciting
the incidents that forced us into the war-the
long train of German insults and injuries. (which
no self-respeeting people could endure and which
10 people could submit to without certainty Of
future acknowledgements Adamson shows
how necessary and imperative it was, in raising
an army, to proceed the basis of universal la
bity to service instead of trusting to the volun-
teer plan.
Opponents of the draft system, he points out,
would leave US in the predicament of having
gone TO war without army" for it is the con-
sensus of reliable opinion the world over that the
volunteer system is tragically inadequate for so
vast an emergency as that confronting the United
States. History bears ample witness to the fact
that<the volunteer system proved inadequate and
unfair in every American war. II Congress, ignor-
ing those solemn warnings from the past and
ignoring the counsel of every competent adviser
in the present, had left the nation to lean upon
the unstable and really undemocratic volunteer
plan, the consequences would have been disas-
rous OF all the clear-headed, loyal-hearted legis
lation that stands to the credit Of Congress, none
is comparable for foresight and broad justice to
the Seective Service act
differences OF opinion concerning that measure
when it was introduced and while it under
debate. Those who opposed II then were entirely
within their rights, and however much We criti-
cized their judgment we never condemned their
motives. But there is a world Of difference be-
tween opposing the Selective Service bill and OPP
posing the Selectve Service law. This truth, Con-
gresham Adamson drives home with irresistible
logic:
The bill has been passed and the draft
has been made and the being called
to our colors. The cantonments almost
ready for their training. In anticipation of
their early readiness for the field the regular
army has already gone to France to resist
Germany. We have probably $4,000 or 1OO,-
600 American soldiers in the fight in Eu-
rope. It would be a fine betrayal of them and
carry frantic joy to the Kaiser If they could
read in the papers about detection in the
United States evidenced by Democratic Con-
gressmen voting to repeal the whole legisla-
tive fabric designed to maintain our defense
in the war. That mere announcement in the
papers would be equivalent to oyerwhelm-
ing German victory. There is such blood
as that in me- and don't believe there is in
you. 1t would be a beautiful collapse and a
beautiful thrust at the vitals of country
and success in TIE war for my colleagues
and to vote to repeal that law"
That is the kind OF talk the people of Georgia
like to hear from their representatives at Wash
ington- The proposal that the Draft act be re-
pealed at this juncture would be astoundingly
reasonable but for the fact that the few persoas
from whom it comes evidently victims OF
crafty agitators rather than Willingly disloyal to
their country. Congressman Adamson gives them
excellent advice when he admonishes them Ito
repudiate all evil counsel and to realize the
gravity Of the situation"
Persons who imagine that the Draft act can
be resisted with impunity or that reasonable ut
terances will go indefinitely unchastised by the
Government are on extremely dangerous ground.
Neither the Government nor the rank and file Of
the people are in any mood to tolerate slackers
and enemies at home when the safety of all they
hold dear is at stake and when the loyal strength
OF every American is needed for the countrys
cause. The Government may be depended upon,
at the proper time, to deal unsparingly with the
Kaiser's agents and prOpagandists, in whatever
guise and on whatever pretext they are working.
And the people may be depended upon to aid and
uphold the Government in melting out sharp JUS
tice.