Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-18

Militarism and those held by The
Courier. In the absence of a detailed
statement of it's activities, we find
these two sentences at the close of
the communication:
Since war was declared we have
not sought to obstruct the govern
ment in the conduct of the war
though we have done our best to.
protect American democracy
from the assaults of some of its
new found friends This course
we intend to pursue and to pro-
tect our name and reputation in
the process.
This declaration indicates that there
Is wide disagreement between what
The Courier regards as patriotism
and what seems to be the aim and
inspiration of the union against
militarism."
It is not enough to refrain from
obstructing the government in the
conduct of the war. II every Amer
lean citizen should adopt that in
active course there would be no Red
Cross, no Liberty Bond sales, no vol.
unteer army, no officers training
camps, no four-minute men, no en-
couragement for the soldiers and sail
ors who are Offering their lives in de-
tense of the institutions which have
made Americans free and liberty
loving people. There would be no
food conservation, no bumper crops,
no defense councils in state or nation,
no railroad war board, no enthusiasm
in the hearts of the American people
and no willingness to undergo hard
ships and sacrifices az part of the
price which all patriots must pay II
the principles of democratic govern
ment are to be found surviving among
the peoples of the earth when at last
peace shall come toiend the greatest
and most costly war In history. /
The Courier Is not concerned with
the protection of the name and reputa-
ton OF the union against militar-
ism" but 1t is concerned vitality with
the protection of the name and repu-
tation Of the United States govern
ment, Of the permanency Of that gov
eminent and of the institutions which
have made America the greatest of
the worlds nations. 1t recognizes
that the government and every man
and woman who claims its protection
face a crisis and on the issue of that
crisis depends the future not only OF
America but Of Americas people-you
and me and our children and theirs
our homes. our liberties, our happi-
ness and the happiness Of those who
come after VI.
Failure to realize the vital import.
ance of the national crisis and to rise
to the demands for patriotic support
of the government-not passive sup
port but the most active support 1t is
possible to give-is failure to meas
ure up to the standards of loyalty
which should be the aim and goal of
every American citizen today,
The Courier has said and repeats
now with all the emphasis possible,
that there are but two sorts of peo-
Pile in America now-those who are
loyal and those who are not. There
is no middle ground. Those who are
loyal are yielding to the government
every possible measure of support and
encouragement of which they are
capable. They are welcoming the
opportunity to make sacrifices to aid
their, country In the war. They are
ready to make more sacrifices and to
count themselves rewarded fully II,
in the end. victory crowns the efforts
of the American government to win a
victorious peace.
This is loyalty. And because Amer.
lea requires the answering devotion
and patriotic support Of every Amer.
lean in the present critical period. 1t
is impossible to qualify loyalty or to
classify it. Loyalty IL absolute IL 1t
exists at all.
AS to the American Union Against
Militarism. whatever may be its
avowed objects, they can not be Of
sufficient importance to command the
attention of patriotic American citi-
zens at this time unless they consist
OF whole-hearted support for the gov
eminent in the war. Good intentions,
even though they may be as sincere
as martyrs faith, cannot compen-
safe for q lack of active loyalty.