The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-13
GOTHAM is LETIIARGIC.
There Was No Enthusiasm on Regis.
tratiOn Day, No Outburst of Amer
fcanism and Patriotism.
Editor Sumter Daily Item.

} scriptiOn of New York's patriotic out
) bursts so vividly depicted in the
press, that would materalize, on the
national registration day. I antici-
) pated viewing some great display of
unique and elaborate designs i'm NOV
ing floats expressing the American |
view All conception of it's strength, |
patriotism, bravery, freedom and CEN
tralizing thought Of unity and saliva
tion that would enchant the most
} outspOken slackers and create a de-
sire of action for valor and eXultation
of the American people. I have
dreamed of long lines of parades of
the American youth, of indescribable
variety and political, social, financial
and religious groups, marching should
er to shoulder under one banner in
one spirit with one aim. 1 thought
would see the millionaire and boot
black, the banker and peddler, the
manufacturer and his laborers, the
politician and the preacher, all
marching in one line, in one company
holding hands in symbolic expression
! of unity and their only guide and as
similator-the registration ticket
recognition of their Americanism. And
! the bands would have enthralled the
! cosmopolitan atmosphere with mar
} tial hymns energizing the arms and
) steeling the soul and enflaming the
\ hearts to battle for glory and for
I peace.
; And, and did not see it. I looked
for it, looked for it, everywhere, on
the leading business streets, in the
} public parks, on the boulevards, ir
the assembly halls, on the street cor
ners, on the east side and the west
side and uptown and downtown, in
the police stations and the saloons and
in the homes, but she wasn't there.
Instead saw and could feel a certain
hollowness, a bluishness that creeps
under your skin. certain foggy down.
castness of depression, and uncertain
ty of undescribable stiffness. And
walked on and on and on, but the
same thing is everywhere, and tired,
wornout and hungry I found myself in
the dark and cried, Columbia, where
art thou?
1 will be on my way 20 Dixie in the
next few days. may be she is hiding
there and will be able to find her.
Perhaps all these signs may be at
tributable to the weather conditions
here, as I have not yet seen a good
day since 1 got here. 1t is bitterly
cold, considering the season of the
year, or it is raining, which takes
away all the life and energy and dark
ems the jovial feelings of human ma
ture, and perhaps it is the sudden
turn of affairs in the nation, neces-
stating certain arrangements and
changes in many individual and COM
munal affairs. which are now in a
, sort of suspended indecision and un-
certain anticipations, which will take
time and wise counsel to stabilize and
equalize to accommodate conditions to
come.
The American people as a whole are
deliberate and calculating, sofhat
, they take no step without first looking
into the future with a clear view, or
certain basic principles to work upon.
, And because the public, as whole, are
not fully familiar with the political
and national affairs, they are holding
back certain activities which would
otherwise be on the way Of develop
ment.
When we are we'll informed and
know what we are to face and ac-
cOmplish, then we will put our heads
to the task with open eyes and mind |
, and ready to meet the problems each |
one on their merits and overcome all |
, obstacles.
J 1t is my opinion that the present |
seeming stagnaton Of certain indus |
tries and business is only temporary, |
and that at no distant future the ac-
tivities Of industry and business will |
show marked advance for the better
, and increase as the months roll along
Il S. L. Krasnoff.
New York, June 8.