The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1917-06-13
THE NATIONS RESPONSE.

to feel extremely proud and happy
for it. The wonder is that there were
so few slackers comparatively, and
such general compliance with the
law. We had, to start with. sincere
deep-rooted traditional opposition to
anything bearing the name of draft
as well as the apathy that is due to
long peace and a sense of national Sc
curity. We had, in addition, to COM
bat the active hostility of false paci-
fists and of secret enemies, the for
mer bent upon discrediting the new
policy. the latter anxious to keep the
country too weak to strike Germany
an effective blow Moreover, we had
to make a campaign of explanation,
publicity and education to reach a
hundred million people in city and
country with the facts, and to solve
for the millions directly interested
score Of doubts and perplexfties Last
of all, we had to call into the public
service new and untried machinery
for the work OF registration, a work
without precedent or guide in many
particulars, and dependent in many
instances upon unframed volunteers.
In spite of all these difficulties, the
country has responded speedily and
we have safely passed out first war
rapids Tuesday was our initial ma
tional step in war. We declared war
on April 2. On June we really be-
gan it, We have buckled on our ar
NOR. 1t will not be long before We
take our place where all freemen
should long to be- What was proved
Tuesday is that patriotism is neither
dead nor sleeping in the United
States, and that Americans are more
than willing to serve their country
wherever and whenever she needs
them. The draft has not quenched
patriotism; it has kindled it anew.
The News has reason to rejoice
in the patriotism manifested by Geor
gia. and especially Brunswick and
this section. The unanimity with
which the young men marched to the
polls and registered clearly demon
strates the fact that but very few
slackers reside in this grand old
state.
Tuesdays response means that all
doubt and uncertainty as to Ameri-
can loyalty to our war policy are at
an end. Americans with unfeigned
willingness and cheerfulness have en-
listed for America.
1t means that respect for law and
acquiescence in authority are still ma
tional traits.
1t means that for individual self
will and personal opinion we are
ready to substitute the national will
and the national judgment.
1t means that we are beginning to
realize that we are at war and that
it is our war, and that the nation has
put itself under orders
It means that we accept the prin-
ciple that democracy involves equal
| ity of service as well as of privilege.
| 1t means the birth of national
| consciousness of responsibility, an
awakening to the pride of obligation
1t means, more than all, that we
recognize that life represents some
thing higher than peace and comfort
and pleasure, and that it is truly
worth while only when there is liv
ing and a noble soul within the out
ward form of civilization.
| Germany's analysis of us is another
of her mistakes. Enthusiasm, self
sacrifice, devotion to principle, have
been the characteristics of the sue
cessive generations of American
since the first pioneers landed in thi
country. There have been moments
of doubt, short periods of cynicisn
and greed, commercialism, but when
ever a real test came the old invinc
BILE spirit has famed out and restores
.ls to ourselves. Once more the cal
has come to which we have neve
turned a deaf ear, and we can rejoic