Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-12-25
Cheer Up!

America is now at that stage of war expert
nee where she feels the burden and anxiety OF
Preparation without being yet ready to plunge
Tnto the stirring tide of the conflict itself The
Affect is necessarily somewhat dispirting to loya'
md ardent people watching the battle lines across
ne sea and eager to pour their full strength into
the wavering scales They have the nervousness
81 a soldier just before the fight and the inra-
Hence that always hangs the verge of great
events In this mood they disposed to magnify
troubles both at home and abroad. fealizins
kAow much depends their country and their
snorts thew chate at every moments delay and
are nettIed by every tumble Or misstep Now,
this state of mind is not going to last Possibly
We shall have cause for far graver concern over
the war situation than and certainly the wars
reality will be borne home to with far intenser
meaning. But once fully into the struggles heat,
We shall go forward with the cheer that ever
Aomes from courage in action and with the forti-
Jude which the American people ever have shown
IN national crises.
Meanwhile however, We not helping the
eountr.y's cause or lettering our own fortunes by
milling a long face Gloomy thoughts butter no
sc-,its and win no battles BY all means let us
alfze the gravity of the times and the need Tor
utmost conservation OF will and purpose 10 the
inning of the war. But it is equally important
at we keep nerve-steadiness, which is essential
efficient patriotism well as to efficient work
lea sense of balance and perspective. and best of
h. sense of humOr. When the Government
nzes conservation of food l. does not mean that
ye should weep out ones eyes over each spoonful
fsugar or work ones self into a frenzy trying to
ick invisible grease spots from the skillet. When
ational leaders urge economy, they do not mean
rzr-we should forswear every amenity of life
ON soap to Santa Claus, and turn ourselves into
nation of blinking misers. What would all our
mr. he
re pressed to such extremes of niggardliness
to starve business into despair and dry up those
.aIth-producing springs from which every dollar
var loans and every penny of war tax must
When military observers admonish us that
detection OF Russia has greatly strengthened
Huns and intensified the need for large Amer
an forces on the Western front, they do not
can that our allies defeated or that our own
ask in the struggle is beyond national
&trength They mean simply that the decisives
.ictory-bringing blow must be struck by the
nfted States. And who that is truly American
build not covet that honor?
In this period of preparation we have had mis-
les and consequent confusion and delay. But
in all the Governments record and the
satry's record is one to be proud of and to in
" hearty confidence. The mistakes have been
details not in principles policies; and they
mot obscure the magnificent sum of what has
ZEN achieved in the face OF enormous difficulties.
e are going forward, swiftly and efficiently fits
vSstness of the work that makes it appear
aetimes slow. Let us remember, then, a a
Dple and as individuals that while constructive
icism is helpful, carping complaint is
an useless and that while serious facing of
Is is a duty owed to ones self and ones country
downcast mind never see things they
3hlIy are. Let remember that there is no
dom in dependency. no valOr in detection, no
riOtism in the pip.