South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-09
OUR WATCH DOG.


It is a mighty good plan for each
of US to learn as early in the game
of life as possible that we are not
the center OF gravity; that the earth
does not revolve around US. When
we learn that the annual revolu-
tions of the sun and the diurnal
revolution OF the earth were not
planned especially 10 suit our per-
sOnal whims, then we have begun
to revolve.
You full we'll know what Sher-
man said about war. All civilized in
habitants of civilized portions of the
world are now willing 10 agree that
Sherman knew precisely what he
was speaking about. NOtwithstand-
ing this fact, however. We are
brought face 20 face with the grim
fact that self preservation is the
first law Of nature. We have been
made 10 realize that certain people
are not nearly so civilized as we had
thought them 10 be. We have been
made TO realize with exceedingly
deep regret that those people who
have in their charge the control Of
the central powers had absolutely
no respect for sacred agreements In
the nature of agreements OF peace.
They have demonstrated time and
time again that their promises are
without sincerity and soundness.
Their word is as the mirage OF the
desert. The TeutOnic powers have
shamefully disregarded and violated
that grand old Monroe doctrine.
They have repeatedly acted with
perfidy. They have repeatedly violat-
ed every promise. vow or allegiance
pertaining TO international laws, es-
pecially those concerning and relat-
ing 10 the freedom of the high seas.
They have murdered our innocent
women and children. They have,
without warning, sent these innocent
women, children and babes 10 the
bottom of the sea, there TO be
leisurelv devoured by the sharks. IL
would be a comparatively easy mat
ter to fill the entire columns of this
paper with sound, genuine. authentic
and astonishing reasons why we
have chosen Ito conquer" instead
of Ito submit"
The big thing for us to remember
now is that I'VE are into it, and are
positively going 10 see il through to
the successful conclusion. We all
want a speedy and satisfactory,
permanent world peace. And the
most certain and effective plan by
which 10 bring this welcome con-
dition about is for each individual
citizen TO extend 10 our government
his or her honest. personal and in
tensified cooperation. No sane, well
balanced person seeks trouble
rather he endeavOrs 10 evade 1t. But
when trouble is forced upon man
he ceases to be a man OF integrity
and honor. worthy Of the respect OF
his feIlow-men IL he refuses TO de-
fend his loved ones against an In
vader that would devastate and lay
waste TO his home and murder the
innocent and precious lives of his
family. The same principle involved
herein is applicable TO a nation. That
is why I'VE are into 1t"
Down the path Of life all OF US
are passing the same way and the
man who will say or do that which
he knows TO be contradictory 10 the
present policies of the United States
government is still in the same men
tai state as the cliff dweller. or the
savage who fought with the cata-
mount for a place to sleep at night.
] -farFa nd
presence of this kind of people,
| however. that prompted the organ
ization OF the home defense guards.
Certainly it's organization was not
inecessitated by reason of our great
majority of men who are absolutely
in accord with laws and principles
and know why. II was organized for
| the express purpose of preserving
law and order against any man or
group Of men who might seek TO
stand in our governments way in
this day OF high resolution when
every principle We hold dearest is
to be INDICATED and made secure
for the salvation of nations.
The human life is precious
thing and like the flower. like
a child. or like a plant, requires
tender sympathy and intelligent
care. And the human life, like the
flower and the plant needs protec-
/ ton against those who would de-
stroy. For just this purpose the
home defense guard Of st. Joseph
county was organized. Burn this
into your memory.
Wouldn't you like 10 be a part
OF this splendid organization whose
high ideal is the protection and
preservation of the lives OF our own
people who reside within st. Jo-
seph County? Consider we'll what
we have said concerning the fine
military training extended you by
! being o member OF our regiment
/ Remember that this training offers
you an unusual opportunity 20 ma
ter!ally develop and improve your
mental, moral and physical self.
Now then-if you are a man with
real red American blood flowing in