New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-03
Copperheadism Us. Americanism
Blu S. E. Boncy

The cases OF Hardwick, Of Georgia, and
La Toilette, Of Wisconsin, will soon furnish
for the nation q fair index Of the American
ism Of the South and the West. In the mud
died situations brought about by the war
there have been doubts and questonings Of
the loyalty Of these sections, inspired largely
by the utterances of much-speaking pacitists
and German sympathzers. The East has been
flooded with the statement "The West does
not want war" and with hints from the South
that America has cause TO plunge her
manhood into the world carnage.
Out of the political murkiness arising from
Capitol Hill have stood few figures; some
with distinction and honor in their response
to humanity's call others whose prominence
is due entirely to their efforts toward hinder
ing progress in waging humanity's war.
These represent the conflicting elements of
the nation.
The State Of Georgia is preparing to draw
the issue Of the Administration versus
Thomas w. Hardwick, short term Senator
from the state, Georgia will be engaged IN
the task of unseating Senator whom the
electorate suspect of being pro-German and
who they know has fought Woodrow Wilson,
a Democratic President, and the man who put
Hardwick in Congress
There has been more or less justification
for the statement that war was opposed in
both the South and West. But this was due
wholly to lack of concern, because of isola-
ten, and not because of lack Of patriotism.
Even yet there is not apparent the same
degree OF concern that marks sentiment in
the East.
The East, linked as it is with Europe by
arteries of trade and travel, felt the shock
Of the Lustania. In the South and West it
was but tremor. The European war, three
thousand miles away, was somewhat like
Vesuvius in eruption again, something to be
read about and deplored, but not vitality to
affect existence in this distant and safe
retreat.
Human Links Supplied
But the links that we're lacking human
llnks-are fast being supplied, and North,
East, South and West, in sending their young
manhood into the fray, are joining hands
with each other and with the nations of
Europe, and soon it will be "our war" in
the fullest sense. With every young man,
South West, who dons the khaki there is
forged still another link which will bind
America to the cause she has cspoused. Poll
t.CldnS VINO nave INOuBHL lHey Ndu SdIe ana
humane basis for opposing this country
war already are beginning to hear the rum
blings. Their platitudinous opposition TO ma
tionsl policy, tolerated now, will soon be
regarded as treason, for an American citizen
whose sons or brothers blood has been
spilled to help rid the world of barbaric
Germanism will not long permit peace talk
or Socialistic absurdities which would place
blame on America and Prussia alike and
call for joint payment of the damages.
Nevertheless, this un-American element is
going to make stand. The first test will be
centred about the Hardwick and La Toilette
elections.
In Georgia the issue is stripped of much
which complexities the contests in the West,
the Congressional elections, which are, after
all, La Toilette contests. There are no So
caists TO speak of in Georgia, sosp-boX
oratory does not flourish, and the |. w. w.
has not raised its head. There are pacifstS
to be sure, but not of the professional kind.
The issue is between an American President
Democrat at that-and Senator whom the