The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-11

IL iS hoI pecduSc VIC nave our QOuDtS,
but because the more judicially and
old-bloodedly and impartially we
cross examine ourselves, the more
evident it becomes that we either had
20 go into this war or surrender our
charter as free people.
Two prodigious facts stood out be-
fore us at the beginning of the strug-
gle. All the sophistries and indrec-
tions Of the diplomats, all the green
books and blue books and white
books flooding the world, all Of the
libraries that will be written in expla-
nation and defense never can remove
or even alter these two mountain
peaks of truth.
One fact was that Germany de-
lberately forced the war because it
seemed that the fortunate Day had
arrived when the continent of Europe
could be pounded into submission.
The other fact was that Germany
deliberately broke her word of honor
and outlawed herself by the brutal in
vasion Of Belgium.
With these two facts looming in
front Of them, the American people
Immediately and instinctivcly turned
against Germany. Our sympathies
were given whOle-heartedly to the al
lies because they couldn't go any
where else. The issues were too plain.
The evidence was too unmistakable.
Great Britain and France did not lead
us. We were led by an old-fashioned
and elemental preference for decency
and fair play.
AT or that we sold food and mu-
nitiol to the enemies of Germany.
The Germans have always insisted
upon their right to sell guns and shells
anywhere in the world at any time.
Our soldiers in the Spanish-American
war were killed by German bullets
fired from German guns. Every Fill
pinO insurrecto hiding in ambush to
get one Of our men carried a German
weapon that had been smuggled to
him.
We had a right to sell our products
to Great Britain and France. And
now. thank goodness. we can say
openly what we have felt all the time,
that it was our duty to supply them.
With half of the world on fire,
good many dark places are being il
Illuminated. This war has vindicated
British policies and crowned France
with glory that never can perish.
Germany with all Of her cleverness,
foresightedpess and preparedness for
any contingency has persistently blum
dered in her guessing as to other ma
tions. Germany played every other
country in the world for either a fool
or a coward. France could not long
resist because her army was disor-
ganized and her people lacked heroic
fiber. Belgium would yield if 1t saw
an invincible army crossing the from
tier. Great Britain dared not come
in. If she did, Ireland would rebel,
Egypt would uprisc, there would be
civil war in India. the Beers would
fight for Germany. and Canada might
be seized by the United States. Rus
sia was to be bamboozlcd and corrupt
ed. The Balkan states were to be had
for the picking.
The qualities which enable a peo-
pie to wage war uccessfully-tenacity
obedience to superiors, unfaltering
loyalty, the willing spirit of sacrifice,
the ability to husband resources and
concentrate energics-these were not
to be found anywhere except in Ger
many.
The disappointment Of Germany has
been the triumph OF democracy. We
find the London cockney fighting
alongside of the Canadian. the New
lca!ander. the Arab from Soudan. the
1rishman from Cork, Sikhs and
Ghourkas from India, and Boer
Dutchmen from South Africa. Which
means that Great Britain is on the
square. We know that France is on
the square and we have q very definite
suspicion that we are trying to be on
the square. There isn't a reasonable
doubt on the horizon. We are lined
up with the friends of humanity
against the archdevils Of despotism.
If the Lusitania had not been
sunk; if our men, women and chill
dren had not been murdered; if our
flag had not been fired upon; if we
had not received insolent orders to tie
our ships to the docks; If spies and
agents had not blown up our fac