The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-03
WHAT WILL EXPLAIN IT?

Iof Wallace, representing himself as the Ioulu-
er of the League of Humanity, belched forth
speech filled with reasonable utterances OF tne
vilest sort The speech was given IN theatre
there. Judging from newspaper accounts
those who heard it enjoyed it. Wallace was re-
warded with a goodly sum for his efforts. NO
move was made by the city or county authorl-
ties to prevent the meeting, or stop it after 1t
had progressed Since the affair Wallace has
been indicted by the federal authorities and
it is assumed that he and those who were re.
sponsible for his appearance In Davenport Will
be given proper punishment
All of which raises the question, How DO
men come by their opinions which are wholly
out of harmony with those of their fellow coun-
trymen family and friends? Or to be speclhc,
how does it happen that some Americans IN
telligent and of loyal parentage are hercely
pro russian? How does it happen that some
Americans who are processing christians and
we're living moral, useful lives until the war
broke out, now justify all the atrocities OF
militarism and rail against their country Tor
entering the war in defense OF humanity ana us
undoubted rights7 The problem is the Old one,
which would explain, if we could solve 1T, why
q line of sanity forbears may produce pirate,
or why a line of ignorant, very ordinary ances-
tors NAV flower out suddenly into surprising
genius.
There are citizens native born, honored and
successful men, ministers of the gospel some
of Them authors, theologians whom life has
used WELL and to whom our country has OF
fered manifold opportunities for advancement
who are nevertheless as rabidly pro-Prussian
as the kaiser himself. Take the case of the Rev.
Thomas Cunning Hall, son Of the Rev. John
Hall, of New York City, one Of the eminent
preachers Of his time, which was not long ago
This man, the son, is an author OF some note,
has filled important pull pits and was professor
of christian ethics in Union theological semi
nary. He is now supposed to be in Germany
and is said to have been decorated by the
kaiser And he probably will stay there, for
he has been dismissed from his position IN the
seminary because of the discovery by the fed
eral authorities that he engaged In Ger
man conspiracies to blow up munition works IN
this country and was the originator OF plot
to interfere with shipments to the allies. 1t IS
true that Mr.. Hall had schooling in Germany
and married German woman; but can It be
contended that this is enough to make traitor
and a criminal of him7
And there is Mayor William Hale Thompson,
of Chicago, born in Boston of all American an
cestry, man Of great inherited wealth, who
| had unusual opportunities of attaining emf
nonCe III our pOllIlCd VII IIs pCo1 Solioo) lAAo'
Yet he is bitterly criticised as un-American and
there was talk Of his impeachment. He has
been vicious critic of our government since
our entry into the war. He did not want
Joffre and Balfour to come to Chicago. He re-
fused to buy Liberty bond and hesitated long
before he allowed canvassers to sell the bonds
in the city hall He has been called more Ger
man than the Germans, or at any rate more
German than the hyphenates; and man promi-
nent in the legal profession resigned his office
for the stated reason that he found it impos-
sible to serve under a mayor SO lacking In
patriotism.
How are cases like these, or those now promi-
ment in Davenport, to be explained What
inherited predictions, self interest, ethi-
cal considerations or misprudence tend to
make men wholly nn-Amercan on this great
vital issue now facing the country Of their
birth or adoption'
The American people are bending their en-
ergies and they will give unstintedly of food
and treasure to make this the last great war in
the history of the world. By intensifying eff
fort in this direction, this people may WELD
stupendous influence in bringing the cause Of
democracy to triumph and in effecting peace
that should endure. The time is coming when
every year in the history of every nation will
show decrease rather than an increase in
armament.
The war is three years old and peace is still