Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-03-16
AS the Editor Sees 1t

buster in the closing hours OF con
gress that defeated the will>of the
president, an overwhelming MAORI
ty of congress and a like proper
ton of the people of the nation,
will have at least one beneticent
result, despite the fact that the act
will stand out as one of the black
est smudges on American patriot
ism. 1t will solidify the American
people behind the president IN his
determination to assert the lnVlola-
bilitv of American life and COM
merce upon the high seas. In
every section of the country men
of every political faith have de-
nounced the disgraceful fllbuster.
Ministers. merchants, professional
men. farmers, laborers, women,
everywhere show a determination
to assert for once and all American
rights bpon the seas, even II 1t
can be honorably avoided, but they
are ready to fight and sacrifice for
the retention of their honor and
their rights of life and commerce
if it becomes necessary tD do so.
Today there is grim set to the
American countenance that means
stern business.
Another thing we have noted
with a degree of pride in our own
country. Big Business has co1ne
right to the front in the crisis
Heads of great manufacturing con
Gems. railroad corporations, engi-
neering firms, all assured the gov
erment that their corporations and
their individual services are at the
disposal of the government If war
comes. There is little noise or loud
talk. but everywhere a calm and
infIexiole purpose is evidence. And
this spirits is not confined to Big
Business alone. Little Business
marches right up at the front, Labor
leaders are pledging the loyalty
and assistance of their orgal ia
tons, farmers are offering both
men and foodstuffs, and women
are banding together by the hun
dreds of thousands IN the common
cause. Political considerations
are kicked aside, religious zeal
even urges the people on to great
err ferver and patriotism. Amer
lean people are being solicited
as they have never been before
since the days of Washington
And they are ready to meet
whatever is before them.
But there is one suggestion we
want to make in spirit of fairness
and Justice We have among us
MANY excellent citizens of foreign
birth. We have seen no evidences
of disloyalty to our country among
them, and we believe them sincere
in their purpose to defendthe coun-
try of their adoption. They are
Americans now and should be treat
ed as such. We should exhibit no
en- nifty toward them because of
their foreign blood, for their very
presence here indicates that they
prefer this country to the one they
left.
Again we want to remind our
farmers friends of the imperative
necessity for cultvating every avll-
able foot of ground this season.
One of the first resources to be
husbanded in time of war is food
for the army and for the civilian
population. Without it any ma
ton will be brought to its knees, and
that is a condition which is unthink
able for the American people.
And not only should the farmers
produce to the utmost but vacant
lots and back yards in every town
should yield their quota for the
common good. Every citizen should
consider il incumbent upon
him to do his share and he should
do it When this spirit animates
a nation of a hundred million patr-
lotto people twill require something
more than words and plots to con-
quer it
Do you own an American flag;
Up with it. Let the people see it.
Let them see what YOU stand
for. Flags are floating in everv
city and hamlets in the country
today. 1t is time to let yours feel
the breeze, too.