The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-08-13
FLIRTING WITH TREASON

Or. Alexander, president Oh Ine
State Farmers union, has come out
in a letter in which he defends a
ly, in which speech he was reported
to have advised men to resist the
draft for military service. He de-,
clares that he did not advise men to
resist the draft but to obey it, be-
cause it is the law, and everybody
should obey the law. After which
explanation, the Charlotte Observer
says, he embraces the opportunity to
air his views on the war and to let
it be known that he is not satisfied
with the governments policy. He
says that for ten years he "has been
justice of the peac; :" and is there
fore "sworn to observe the law and
uphold the peace, but he attempts
to justify dis anti-conscription senti-
ments. He contends that CONSUMPTION
was forced upon US" and that it is
morally and constitutionally wrong
to draft our boys to fight in a for
eign country.
His explanation seems to say that
while he has not actually advised
men to resist the draft, he would like
to do it, that it is all wrong and that
he is in sympathy with the unspeak-
aole Tom Watson Of Georgia, who
has started a movement to raise
money to test the constitutionality of
the draft law. The Kaiser could
nearby ask more of a man in DR..
Alexnder's position, and he is doubt
less satisfied with his speech and his
attitude. DR.. Alexander is plainly
IN an attitude of opposition to the
governments method of carrying on
the war and is giving aid and COM
Tort to the enemy, which is treason
able. In that attitude he does not
represent the patriotic farmers who
are IN vast majority in the organ
1zatlon which he heads in this State
1t is foolish and reasonable to in
dulge in such talk as DR.. Alexander's
NO, good could possibly come of it
and it is calculated to do great harm
But the majority of the farmers are
too sensible and patriotic to follow
the doctor when he runs amuck. The
Progressive Farmer says:
We certainly regret that a few
excellent men among our Southern
farmers have allowed themselves tt
be misled concerning the constitution
atty of the selective draft.
1t IS time for everybody to know
that such opposition is absurd, dan
gerous, reasonable and probabl-- pun
lshable by both fine and imprison
ment. Many of Americas ablest law
yers were among the representative
and senators opposing the selectiv
draft for other reasons, but the argu
ment against its constitutionalit
was simply laughed out of court. Ev
en- among professional pacifists tn
idea has no serious following.
There is not one chance in ten mil
lion that the Supreme Court woul
hold the selective draft unconstitr
tional and even if it did, the datern
in2tion of this government would nc
be checked for the remotest fra ctio
of second. The legislatures of e,
cry State in the Union would be II
stantly summoned in extra sessio
and the Constitution would be amen,
cd with speed that would make tt
Kaiser tremble.
"This nation has put it's hand /
the pillow and there will be no lookir
backward until victory is won and tt
world made safe for democracy al
safe against ever being again MAJ
a .slaughterhouse of war by Germs
mllitarism. To seek to delay or hi
der our national government in i
determined course is only to gil
Unreasonable aid and comfort to t
enemy, resulting in the prolongati
OF the struggle, and thus in needle
sacrifice of American livesu