Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-12-12

iS sssSs $&s MI war" was an ap-
2zggal pealing and COM
pellingfac The
Henry L. West. shock of the "Lu-
sitania" tragedy had in large meas
ure passed away, and even the many
instances of equal brutality cited by
the President in his splendid mes
sages had occurred at widely separat-
ed periods and had not come as
shock to the entire nation. There was,
of course, the idea that we must make
the world safe for democracy, but this,
after all, was an abstract assertion
which failed to find Judgement in the
minds of those who could only see
that their husbands, sons or brothers
might be killed Then again, the con-
flict was not upon our shores, but far
away. In brief, we entered upon the
war with only very small proportion
OF the population thoroughly realizing
why we had been forced into it or
how serious would be the results If
we did not emerge with a complete
and overwhelming victory.
These being the conditions, it was
evident that the first and most impor-
tant thing to do was to arouse the
American people. England, where
similar conditions were experienced
at the outbreak Of the war, spent five
million dollars awakening it's popula-
ton, and the work covered a long
period of time No government agen-
cy having been established to under
take the work in this country, the Of
fcers of the National Security League,
an organization created to secure adj
equate national defense, felt that there
could be no better utilization of it's
100000 members and it's 280 branches
and committees than to carry to. the
people the real meaning of the war,
to impress upon individual citizens the
seriousness of the struggle and to en-
phasize the duty and obligation of ma
tiona1 service. 1t did not hesitate be-
cause of limited resources, feeling
that as time demonstrated the value
of it's effort the necessary funds would
be forthcoming. Up to the present
time it has conducted it's campaign
of education out of it's own treasury,
sustained by membership fees and
voluntary contributions, and will con-
tinue to do so as long as the necessity
lasts.
Methods Employed.
We are working along practical,
definite and already effective lines.
There are two ways by which we can
reach the minds of the people-the
printed word and the spoken word.
Our printed matter takes the form of
pamphlets or simple tracts which are
being circulated by the hundred thou
sand.
We also supply newspapers with ar
ticles for their news columns, and also
with editorial suggestions and find that
these are most welcome. We have en-
listed the cooperation of large num-
Der of well-known writer's who supply
us with brief outlines of the real mean
ing of the war which can be printed
under their signatures.
We feel, however, that the spoken
word is even more effective and have
listed the names Of more than 500 dis
tinguished speakers representing more
than 100 Universities and Colleges as
we'll as all the professions. These
men who are beyond the age for mill
tary service have generously offered to
contribute their time and talents to
educational work. A handbook for
these speakers has been prepared with
accuracy and thoroughness and will
be widely distributed.
We have three ways of getting these
speakers before the people. The first
is known as the "ready-made audi
ence" We send out each day from
thirty to fifty letters to organizations
holding state or national annual con-
ventions and request the privilege of
interpolating into their program an
address Of thirty minutes or longer
upon the vital topic of the war These
invitations have been in very large
measure accepted and hundreds Of ad-
dresses have been delivered through
the fundamentally of the National
Security League in bringing speakers
and audiences together.
Scope Nationwide.
We also arrange for meetings and
we have on file complete rosters of
organizations aggregating a member
ship Of over ten million people who
will be called upon to assist in secur-
ing the largest possible audiences. We
are supplying brief speeches to be de-
livered in factories at the noon hour,
thus bringing the meanings of the war
directly to the working men. We are
reaching farming and rural communj-
ties through the country weekly press.
In addition to this, many of the State
universities have, at our suggestion,
constituted themselves centers for the
distribution of patriotic literature and
information, the members of the fac
ulty giving their services in both di-
rections. We are also cooperating
with the State Councils of Defense. Ia
New York, one or more meetings we're