Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-05
REGISTRATION OPPOSITION
MOVEMENT A FL|VVER
June 5 Not Expected to. Be
Marked or MARRIED by
UntOward Conduct
By RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON. June Z.-The feeling
iE Washington is that the snti-regis-
tration movement in various sections
Of the country, which was designed TO
defeat the selective service plan has
been well checked, and that registra-
ton day. June 5. will not be marked
nor marred by untoward conduct The
government has acted speedily and
firmly in handling the efforts OF unps-
'triotic Americans and aliens to inter
fere with the operation of the act
Mauylarrests have been made in vari-
Gus parts OF the country. and agents
Of the department OF justice have I'M
der close surveillance a number of 9TH
er suspects who will be taken In charge
At the first manifestation of activity
against registration
Senators and members OF congress.
including Speaker Champ Clark. who
voted against selective service on its
passage through congress. have made IL
clear that they condemn the agitation
in opposition 20 the operation of the
law. The speakers address TO the house
n opposition TO the proposal has been
widely circulated and in some sections
efforts have been made 10 use this
speech as a propaganda against regis
tration- The speaker. whose son IS now
in the officers training camp at Fort
Myer, Va. Is not in sympathy with this
action. but on the contrary IS urging
that the Law be obeyed to the letter.
"Seiective service is the law Of the
land" says Speaker Clark, and II must
be complied with"
Senator Thomas ". Hardwick VIII
voted against the bill and finally voted
against the provisional army bill. today
issued a statement, urging every one
to respect and obey the law His state
ment follows:
+Rumors that are no doubt grossly ex-
aggerated are flying thick and fast TO
the effect that there will be general and
in some quarters even forcfbls resist
lance to registration on June 5th. and
possibly 20 other features Of the selec-
ti=e service Law later.
Il cannot credit these reports 20 any
great extent That they are grossly eK-
zggerated must be true. I cannot think
otherwise
NO man In all the United States.
who loves this country and is loyal to
il. could possibly be more opposed than
] have o.en and am TO the policy OF the
selective service law So long as IL was
~ -r1astion of the policy that We were to
adopt. fought il TO the last ditch
70 the bitter end. So far from sregretting
aIat glory in 81. thought then and !
still think that I was right, but once a
MEASURE Is enacted. IN the manner and
fern required by our constitution. II
becomes the law OF the land. and so long
as il remains such IL is the bOunden duty
OF every good citizen to respect il and
obey IT, however much he may have Op-
posed its enactment or may favor its
repeal
The bill right OF wrong, is tn claw.
Obedience TO Il, submission to II, and
compliance with n. IS the duty of every
znod citizen. and surely those who love
liberty and are true to its principles
will be the very last TO withhold ODE
dierca TO law. do not anticipate dis
turaances OF any kind in Georgia, and
7 STALL be deeply grieved If serious dis
turran noes occur there, OF anywhere else
in our country. Regardless Of differ
enceS about policies. IL is the first and
foremost duty of every loyal American
to stand by mis- country. and to render
fun and willing obedience 20 its laws.