The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-08-21
Council of Defense Holds
Meetings Prosperity, Pon1aria
ca,,ses of tbe War Discussed-F the Purpose Was to
Create a Wor Sentiment the Speakers Failed!
The Meeting Did No Good

around Germany with mines in the
North sea and kept US from selling
our cotton to Germany and which
caused near bankruptcy to the farm
ers of the South. Mr.. Kitchln said
we had. right TO sail our ships IN
the mined zones in the North sea, but
we waived it, and he did not see why
we. could not have waived it in this
case.
Now for my part I can not see any
good in discussing these matters at
this ti~ :. This country is already in
the ~aad what is the use at this
late day 70 undertake to justify the
position of the country in going into
the war. And right or wrong, in the
minds of the people, the country is at
war and the people are standing with
their country and doing their duty,
but as far changing their opinion that
is useless undertaking And as for
the people who heard the speakers at
Pomaria, if the speeches dlivered
there On Friday had any influence at
all it only made the people more get
in their conviction. There were $50
to 200 persons present, and they gave
the speakers good and courteous at
tention, but they had heard before
about everything that was said, and
they were of the same opinion still.
Dr.. Bowers said that he would not dis
cuss the causes that led up to the war,
because we were in it and NO good
could come of talking about the causes
at this time. He said there were
three things to consider. We were
Americans, we were at war, and we
must do our share in the great, con-
flict as good Americans. But he made
one remark which could not be con-
strued otherwise than to mean that any
man who asked an exemption for any
cause was Stacker, and that did not
set we'll with the audience. He may
not have intended his remarks to be
so construed, but I happen to know
that they were And that is a very
serious charge. There are good
many people asking exemption, and
they are good citizens too.
I may be mistaken, but 4 am of the
opinion that the speaking at Pomaria
did more harm than good. What we
need now, if we need any campaign
at all, is one that will bring our peo-
pie together. A great many of our
best citizens were opposed to this
country going into this war, and no
good can come from abusing them for
that opinion, or in ridiculing any one
who held such an opinion, or init
mating that he is coward or uu-
worthy to be a citizen of great. dem
ocratic government AS I see it the
State council of defense had better
change it's campaign. I am sure that
the preachers would have more in
fluence for good it they would stay
out of these campaigns. DR.. Dibble
said his business was to preach the
gospel of peace. but that there were
times when Christ himself said it was
right to fight. as. when he drove the
money changers out Of the temple,
and on other occasions.
1 would rather direct the ministers
and others who are making speeches
to create war sentiment among our
people to the appeal of Pope Benedicc,
and I would suggest that they join in
this appeal to the rulers OF the belli-
gerent nations, and 1 am going to
quote here the closing paragraphs Of
that appeal, though the full text Of
the appeal is printed elsewhere in this
paper:
therefore. in presenting to you who
direct at this hour the destinies of the
belligerent nations, we are animated
to see them accepted and to see thus
the conclusion at an early date Of the
terrible struggle which more and more
appears a useless massacre.
'The world recognizes that the hon.
or of the armies of both sides is safe.
Incline your ears therefore to our
prayer. Accept the fratelal invita-
ton which we send you ! rthe name