Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-17
THE EXPLOSION HORRORS.


The many and constantly repeating
explosions which are chronicled in every
DAYS newspapers are what we may con-
stantly expect since war was declared
against Germany.
Austria and Turkey also are against
us We may we'll understand that these
United States are full of people or
foreign birth and lineage. The lack OF
proper immigration laws has been the
cause of this foreign population, and
our loose way of registration and our
culpability in regard to the use OF the
foreign vote in our large cities. We
sowed the whirlwind, we will reap the
tornado and the maelstrom.
How many girls and women who were
blown to fragments near Philadelphia
last week we may never know. Four
hundred were employed in the two build
ings, that were completely wrecked. The
explosions tore up the earth until the
ambulances could not drive near the aw-
full wreck God help us and save us In
this time Of awful and stealthy dam
gers!
The blowing up Of the grain elevators
in the state of Minnesota and the burn
ing I'D of one million bushels of wheat
on Tuesday, the 9Th, inflicts a deep and
lasting injury. The bread is sorely
needed and will be badly missed. This
Is only a small beginning for one day.
There are grain elevators and munitton
plants all over this country. We nave
insufficient men to police this country
and we may expect to encounter spies,
strategisms and wilful murder of tho
innocent and helpless, in many and div
ers places. 1t is a gala time also Tor as
sassins, and they will strike wherever
they are filled with hatred sufficient.
TT.zNN 80 II
as we'll prepare to suffer as we south
ern women suffered In the Confederate
war. We had less danger in the COS
at home than we have in the United
States today. My heart aches to know
that so per cent of the women who were
blown to atoms near Philadelphia were
young girls trying to earn living.
WHAT WAR MEANS TO THE HOME
When 1 saw my fifteen-year-old
brother-my parents only son-in his
Confederate uniform, and when I saw
my mothers anguish when she bade the
lad good-by, to go to the army in West
Virginia, I realized. as I never did be-
fore, what war meant to the home, where
peace and plenty had reigned since my
earliest remembrance, and where sleep
less nights now prevailed and anxiety
almost torturing to my delicate mother
filed her heart. He was a slender boy,
and, of course, beardless, and he was as
pleased as he could be to become mem
Der Of the Gate City Guards Of Atlanta.
L took a violent sick headache when
the news came to me, and I wrung my
hands in distress when I recollected that
the demon war had taken my only
brother into its bloody nav, and the
boy would be one of it's victims in loss
Of education and loss Of home protection
when he was nothing but baby as to
experience in the hardships OF life.
AS I read the call for soldiers and ma
riners in last evenings Journal, I knew
what was in store for the mothers Of
the United States.
7 have three sons in the heavenly land,
and only one who has lived to mature
age I laid down the paper and said
"He doeth all things we'll"
I have mourned for those dead boys Of
mine as only mother could grieve and
lament They were fine young boys
Zone a two-year-old, and the pride of my
heart). Today. with the SHOWS Of four
score years resting on my aged head, I
can truly bless God that three Of these
precious ones are safe in the great be-
yond. No war or rumors OF war can
disturb their blessed repose
The supreme horror of war lies in the
destruction of the boys-consuming the
seed corn OF the nation.