The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-11-22
LOYALTY TO THE GOVERNMENT
IS BEING TESTED.

More and more the great European
war cloud is casting its ominous shad-
ow over our land For nearly three
wears we read of it's horrors and bru-
talities, but all the time with feel
ing that it was something so far re-
moved from our shores that we could
never become involved in the awful
struggle 1t is not to the credit or our
government that this feeling existed,
and 1t is only just to say that from the
day that Belgium was overrun and
outraged by the hordes of Hun bar
barians the heart of the American peo-
pie was in the war and was ready from
cause of humanity and civilization
without waiting for a direct assault
upon the rights and lives of American
citizens. But the leadership was
lacking, and the result is that when
the history of that period of the great
war is written, it will not be with feel
ings of pride that future generations
will read of the part the United States
should have played but did not,
But since last April the United
States has been at war with Germany,
and at last the people have come to
full realization of the awful conflict
in which they are engaged and the
tremendous sacrifices in men and
treasure they must make in order to
carry the war to successful conclu-
sion. The response of young men to
the call for volunteers and the draft
has been most gratifying, and the per-
sonal sacrifice they are making in Of
fering their lives in defense of the
country should be an irresistible In
spiration to every man, woman and
child at home to do his best to sup
port them in the great adventure they
have entered upon. And right here
comes the supreme test of the loyalty
OF the people. 1t is not time to count
the cost for the cost be 1t in lives,
money or national resources, must be
met and every citizen must bear his
share. Excuses for failure to give to
the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and to
the government for the purchase of
bonds, are not in order. Our brave
boys are even now in the trenches
and a million more are in training
camps, and being transported to
France as rapidly as ships can be pro-
vided to carry them. Our allies have
fought our battles for three years and
are still fighting them with spirit
that will never submit to defeat, but in
order to bring the struggle to a speedy
end, they must have all the power and
wealth and resources of the great re-
public back of them. Our boys are
fighting with them on an ever-eXpand-
ing front and already the growing cas-
ualty list is eagerly scanned with bat
ed breath fearful that 1t contains the
name of a devoted father, son or bro
ther.
You have a duty to perform in WIN
ming this war no less important than
that which is being performed by your
heroic countrymen who are now in the
trenches and those who will soon be
there. Are you doing that duty? Are
you giving freely in proportion to your
means? Are you working for the Red
Cross making warm clothing for SOL
diers we'll and hospital supplies for
soldiers sick and wounded? Are you
giving literally to the Y. M. C. A,
that great organization that imparts
spirit, confidence and contentment to
the soldier? Are you economizing in
food in order to provide sustenance
for our own troops and our allies?
If you are not doing these things,
you are not doing your duty to your
country, but you are aiding your coun
try's enemies This is the test Of 10y
atty.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that
shall never call retreat;
He is sitting out the hearts of men be-
fore His judgment seat;
oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him;
De- ihh