Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-17
Hitting the Nail on the Head.

ut is simply absurd TO contend tnd' nv
salectfve Service law is unconstitutional anu
IL Is nothing less than an imposition upon the
eredulity of good men to mislead them'
The man who speaks of this war as an urlehl-
eous war or as a rich mans war or as d wal
- sstfla European boundaries and disputes
beIittIes his nation. bellies the facts ana Is ui-
worthy of the citizenship he enjoys. -Oon
gresham William Schley Howard.
Those vrbo know the traditions and the character
=, ,hs Georgia peGyIe do not apprehend for mo-
ment that there will be any appreciate recalci-
trance to the Selective Draft in this good common
we.l,b Thew are confident that the rank and nile
of young men who are called to march win 'no
coIors will 60 willingly and proudly, as their for
ha.rs wen, in the DAYS of 'Seventy-Six, as their
fathers went under the banners of Gordon and
.Ias as brave men and true men always go when
right and freedom are at stake But for months
past there has been persistent enort-oiatant
and shameless the part OF some Velied anu III
sidious on the part of others-to beget antagonlsm
10 the SeIective Service law and to becloud the
issues in Americas against Prussian frightful-
ness II is possible that some good people nave
sbeen misled by this propaganda into thinking that
the Selective Draft is unconstitutional or unjust
and that the war upon which we have entered con-
Germs the selfish ambitions of European Powers
rather than the freedom and security of our own
dear land II will be a thousand pities if honest
hut smple-minded persons get themselves into trou
BILE by following these pro-German or anti-Ameri-
can suggestions But folly excuses no man before
the law Those few. if few there should
be who regard service under the Selective Draft
as iglominious and oppressive instead of the in
comparable honor it truly is said who attempt
either by evasion resistance or couusion to de-
feat the ends of the Government will learn bitterly
but too late that it is better be soldier fight
ing for the countrys rights than convict paying
the penalty of traitors wrongs.
- To anyone, therefore who may have been de-
sceived into thinking that responsibility under the
selective Draft can be shirked resisted with
impunity, we earnestly commend the statement by
Congressman William Schley Howard from
which we have quoted and which ap-
pears in full elsewhere in todays
Journal In saying that it lis simply absurd" to
doubt the constitutionality of this law. Congress
man Howard supports his opinion with judicial CT
tations so clear that any layman understand
them and so convincing that right-minded man
would contest them. 1t is not to slackers however,
nor to dupes of un-American propaganda that
Congressman Towards statement is addressed; it
is to Georgians who Georgians indeed, to the
great body of people who honor their State
and love their country And the hearts of all such
Georgians beat response his strong true, ring
ing words
unrighteous war or as rich mans war or as
settle European boundaries and dis
putes belittles his nation, bellies the facts and
is unworthy of the citizenship he enjoys"
The people are glad to hear a member OF their
delegation at Washington speak boldly out for the
4. Government. for the President. for Americanism.
The people feel that in this critical hour when the
enemies of the Government. the enmies of the
President ana the enemies Of America strident-
office particularly with so high an office a
in the National Congress. should speak
and act in a way worthy of this loyal common
wealth Congressman Howard does SO as force
fully and effectively as could be desired He voted
for the Selective Service law-as he has for every
important measure which the Administration has
asked-and. now that its foes are active again, he
cogently defends its wisdom and Justice Recalling
the fact that the bill passed both Houses of Con-
gress by an overwhelming majority OF both par
ties, he
1T assumes all men to be brave, patriotic
and willing to make any sacrifice to defend
the honor of nation. 1t takes into con-
sfderation the efficiency of the nation be-
hind the battle line we'll on the battle
line II leaves those at home who have
wives and children. old and dependent par
ents and takes those with few response
Utilities anc most able to stand the strain or
war IL not disrupt commerce, business
OF agriculture. because those most needed
can be made to remain there. IL is free
- from politics and the influence of politicians.
= Kich and poor, high and low march off I'M
. der the flag shoulder to shoulder; they fight
= for a common cause and they fight all the
better because of the consciousness that all
% have been treated fairly.
q Equally forceful and well-timed is Congress
man Towards comment on the strangely illog-
zeal objection TO Selective Service armies being
sent to fight our ruthless enemies the other
side of the Atlantic in order to keep our own