Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-06-14
AMERICAN CONFIDENCE


ming in business. A few weeks ago
] America, in its International entan-
/ Clements, was bowed down with a
LACK of confidence, lack of confidence
IN It's own people for the people did
not understand the situation, did not
realize how we are vitality interested
inttre outcome of the great struggle
in Europe. Nowthat they do under
stand there is apparently new birth
of American patriotism aud deter
minasi0n which speaks in advance of
American success The Chicago Iri.
bune elaborates on the subject in the
| following manner:
AT the beginning of the year til he
conditions and prospects of the Unit
ed States were deplorable Condi-
tlons were dangerous and prospects
threatening.
Now we stand surely on firm ground
! and face the future with assurance
and confidence. The nation which
Waa merely rich will soon be strong.
| Ihe nation which invited attack,
which was wide open to Invasion
and which tempted invasion, will be
| strong enough to guarantee its own
security.
AT the beginning of the year we had
no adequate defenses aud there was
no evidence that the government
would provide them or that the peo-
pie would demand them. Government
indifference rode public apathy. The
people were deaf to Cassandra. Com
gress was controlled by parochial
politicians who were incapable of
thinking in terms of the nation and
who were running the country for
the benefit of their districts,
We had all of the money and none
of the. guns. We were acc u1ring
wealth and no means OF protecting it.
We were making the German grudge
greater every day. We were, regard
ed ne proiters in the great@War, cut
lers trading with courageous-p peoples
and getting rich without acquiring
their common sense or fortitude.
The United States was in bad
way and its prospect was to get into
a worse one. We were mortgaging
the future for present day comforts
and wealth promised to he our ruin.
We should nave been jumped by Ger
many OF Japan and found defenaeiess,
possessing dollars and no strength.
Now we are preparing to become
a dominant factor in the world. We
are raising an army which will be
sufficient for our needs and able to
accomplish any task given it. Sue
cessfnl invasion of the United
States will be impossible so long as
we adhere to tire wise principles
which are being adopted for this war.
owe are building navy which
will return to its old rating next to
that of Great Britain. We are ac-
quiring merchant marine which
will restore the American flag TO the
seas. We shall return in full to the
things of which we are proud in our
traditions and history.
eve shall retain prosperity and we
shall know how to defend it. We
shall develop and promote trade and
enjoy the returns from it, Our do
mestic affairs will provide employ
ment and good wages for our people.
A strong nation is a prosperous one
| and the prosperity will be reelected
in the living conditions of the Ameri-
can people.
Industries will be ambitious and
busy. There will be work for all
! workmen. We have changed from a
condition which was threatening in
spite if not because of it's Inflated
wealth to q condition which is prom
ising. The change has come about
| by the decision of the government
and the people.
| "They had it in their power to cor
rect themselves and make the United
States a confident nation. The fear
that they could not be aroused to do
this task has been dissipated. They
have done it. The United States has
nothing now to fear. 1t will have
nothing to fear so long as it main
tains the position it has taken.
IF it will keep its army it is safe.
1t may them keep it's money, its
ships, It's trade; it may keep it's fac
tories going and its goods travelling.
It's people will be respected and they
will be safe. We shall not be sub
Ijected to insult and damage on our
southern frontier. We shall be well
thought of beyond our northern from
tier. Weshallno find danger abroad
I've still need the establishment
Of continuing military policy, but
I.eYen now We are being organized fol
strength aud security and an Ameri,
i - = ma . fonl tho r.rif1o ha n,,ntaf ~