The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-15

French revolution, when every fourth
man was a governmental employee.
What a burden federal commits
sion may become, is strilxingly illus-
trated in the performances of the re-
Gently deceased commission on In
dustrial relations, peace to its ashes:
no Ieather-lunged publican can ever
blow them into glow! 1t spent d
half million dollars in an endeavor to
remedy industrial unrest. It's net
achievement was to fan economic
discomfort to white heat. II another
commission, conspicuous for potent
ial tomfoolery, must be named, let us
look as soberly as we can at the rail-
road valuation commission. The re-
suits Of its labors. at an estimated
cost of twenty million dollars, will
be out Of date as soon as they are
reported IL such momentous event
ever occurs.
$1,000 Laws.
The condition in which we found
ourselves at the beginning of the
European war. was not psychology
cal, but the natural result OF vague,
incorporate, impulsive and radical
enactments, which invariably lead TO
confusion, distrust and disaster. Dur
ing the four years prior to 1914,
more than sixty-two thousand laws
were passed by the state and nation
al lawmakers, while equally as many
confusing and conflicting court de-
cisions We're rendered. This multi
plicity of laws is not an evidence of
national greatness, but sign of ma
tional weakness. even a forerunner
Of national decadence.
But now, that the United States is
in war with a powerful foreign foe
aNawWNr
erty and freedom, not only in our
own land, but throughout the world,
let us pause long enough to con-
trast the attitude of the so-caIled
reformer, the self-appointed guard
ian OF human rights, with the BUSH
| ness men, the manufacturers and
the railroad men of the country,
When war was declared the cap
tains of industry, men of finance and
railroad managers, who had been
Vilified by the reformers from one
end OF the country to the other, hur-
ried to Washington or sent tele-
grams or letters to the President Of
fertng their services to the govern
ment; and today there are hundreds
or splendid business men, men of
large affairs, serving their country
for the sum Of one dollar per year.
As early as February 8, Colonel
George Pope, president OF the Ma
tional Association OF Manufacturers,
which embraces q majority of the
great industrial concerns of the
country, sent a telegram to President
Wilson, pledging the support of the
! associations members; and within
three weeks after war was declared
more than $4,000 companies, max
ing all kinds OF articles from food
stuffs to firearms, had signified their
willingness to place their factories
at the disposal of the government,
and practically all the railroad COM
panies OF the country did likewise.
But where are La Toilette and his
followers who have reviled and
traduced these business men through
the press and on the platform?
Where is La Toilette? Dangerously
near the camp OF the enemy! All,
my friends these are days that not
only try mems souls but test their
loyalty and patriotism.
Immediately after war was declar-
ed, Roscoe Conkling Simmons,
nephew of Booker 7. Washington,
speaking for the negroes of the
south in an address at Louisville,
Kentucky, said:
we have a record to defend but
no treason, thank God. to atone or
explain. We have but one country
and one flag, the flag that set us
free. Its language is our only tongue,
and no hyphen abridges or quail
fies our loyalty. Today the nation
faces danger from a foreign foe,
treason stalks and skulks up and
down our land. in dark councils in
trigue is being Matched. j am Re-
publican, but a Wilson Republican.
Woodrow Wilson is my leader. What
he commands me to do shall do.
Where he commands me to go shall
go. IL he calls me TO colors, shall
not ask whether my colonel Is black
or white. / shall be there to pick
out no color except the white Of the
enemy's eye. Grievances / have
against this people, against this gov
eminent. Injustice to me there is,
bad laws there are upon the statute
books, but in this hour Of peril
forget-and you must forget-alI
thoughts Of self or race or creed. Of
politics. or color. That. boys. is
loyalty"
Voice of Black Man.
This is the voice Of the black man
of the south ringing out in patriotic
| tones as clear and distinct as the
chimes of Liberty bell; but where is
Vardaman, tho southern champion of
| race prejudice. who has DETAINED and
traduced the negro Of the south in
the press and on the platform
| throughout the country Where is
Nardaman? Echo answers, where?
First among those to hear and re-
spond to the call OF the nation, were
the good women OF America-the
loyal, home loving, patriotic women
many of whom are the mothers or
| the sisters of the boys who have
been called TO arms. In response to
the call of the Red Cross and other
| philanthropic and patriotic societies
| they are freely giving of their time,
their means and their energy. But
where are the militant suffragettes,
who have been so anxiously awaiting
an opportunity to save the country?
They are in Washington organized
for the purpose of picketing the
| White House. trying to humiIiate
and embarrass the President at a
time when he is burdened with more
cares and responsibilities than ever
fell TO the lot Of any other executive.
And so on down the line If we
trace the reformer, the dissenter, the
obstructiOnist and the destruction
list in time of peace. we will find that
he occupies the same attitude toward
the government and toward our in
dustries In time OF war; while the
men who have given their thought
and their energy TO a policy OF con-
struction and development-in the
mines, in the mills. in the factories
and on the railways Of our country
ARE the men on whom the nation
can depend In its hour OF need. But
let Us turn again to the evil results
Of the hystericaI legislation Of the
past decade.
How Consumer Is Hit.
There Is not a business man with
in the sound Of my voice whose busi-
ness has not been adversely affected
by one or more Of these laws. while