Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10

course to prevent that attack by wag'
ing the war in foreign LANDS. They
disregard the very significant fact that
for years. even before the opening of
the war in Europe, Germany's spies
were overrunning America not only
stealing its own governmental secrets
but making its cities the headquarters;
for world wide plots which were part
of the kaiser's extensive program for
involving this and other nations in a
war to the death for which this govern
ment would be the only one thoroughly
prepared
These are the more passive ones.
The more active are listed in the
ranks of the I. W. W., or in such anti
American bands as that which Wallace
committing crimes of sabotage in Ok
lahoma The passive class keeps
within the law: the active element
goes beyond.
Both lack the war spirit, which
merely is another name for patriotism.
Both demand their full shares of pro.
lection and privilege from the Amer
lean government Both have enjoyed
their full shares of the freedom and
opportunities which that government
bestows on It's citizens. And because
they lack the war spirit of patriotism
and gratitude, they refuse to Admit
that exercise Of their privileges and
rights of citizenship imposes on them
any possibilities for the perpetu'
alton Of the institutions and govern
ment under which they live.
The great bulk of Americans are
patriots. They are ready to discharge
their duties as citizens and are seek
ing ways in which they may bear the
burdens which call for the loyal ser
vice of every man and woman In the
country now, while the country faces
a battle for its existence.
Some of these are in the army; some
are giving their time and talents to
the government in other branches of
its service. Some are sewing for the
Red Cross; others are giving money
to that organization. Some are raising
huge crops to defeat Germany's U-boat
blockade: others are preaching and
practicing conservation Of food and
money and the things money buys. All
are uniting Loyalty each to do his bit
SO that at the earliest moment possible
victory may perch upon the banners of
the American soldiers and sailors on
the firing line.
And all are imbued and directed by
the war spirit-the spirit Of conflict
and contest and the desire to win.
And why should this not be true
What sort of country would this be if
It had no war spirit at this time and if
the pacifists and fault finders were i'll
the majority instead Of the minority !?
1t does not mean that, after peace Is
declared, America will continue to Stay
nor that the sudden excess of military
energy will result in national desire
for conquest, nor that hatred will take
the place of the friendship for other
peoples which has characterized this
country and its people for so long,
While the nation is at war, 1t pat
riotic citizens have but one thought
the thought of victory. In lesser
way. the spirit Of contest begets the
desire to win in every avenue of ac'
tivity. The boxer though he fights
grimly and with the single thought OF
inflicting punishme~.. chats with his
and shakes hands before the gong taps
and again after time finally is called.
The sprinter, the baseball and football
player the political candidate and his
supporters, all maintain close friend
ship with their opponents except when
the contest is on. Then, however, the
desire to win is uppermost: every en-
ergy is put forth for victory and every
weakness of enc side is seized as a
point of strength for the other.
This is the war spirit 1t is tSe
spirit that must prevail II victory -
be won. 1t is the spirit that must per-
meate America if early peace and vic
tory are to reward American arms. 1t
is the spirit that must be abroad in
the land and touch every city and hanl-
let. every man and every woman, be-
fore America can be the power among
the worlds nations which it should be
by virtue of its great wealth and re-
sources.