The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1917-05-02
LETTING GEORGE DO 1T.

It is not our desire to badger congress at this
time OF national danger. We prefer to support
the government IN every possible way, fer in sup
porting the government we are demonstrating
our loyalty to our country and our earnest desire
to aid.
But we can not refrain from opposing the con
gressional policy of Letting George do it, It is
i failure and will result in disaster to our country
II pursued for any length of time.
Here's a sample Of the results obtained by
letting George do it, in the matter of obtaining
recruits for the army.
Captain Franklin r. Kenney is admittedly the
finest recruiting officer the United States Army
has ever known. He is located in Chicago, but
his fame is national IN its scope.
Yet Captain Kenney, with all of his vast ex.
oerience and remarkable ingenuity, can not secure
one quarter OF the results that are to be expected
when our nation is at war.
True, he is succeeding 70 a reasonable degree
where many others are meeting with indifferent
auccess, but it is due mainly to his remarkable
4bility and revolutionary methods of campaigning
or recruits.
The fault is entirely in The system. The peo-
lie do rot believe III letting a patriotic few do the
york Of the whole. Many Thousands of young men
I'll over the country are ready to enlist as soon
IS congress imposes the same obligation on ALL
YOUNG MEN OF MILITARY G who are ply
sically fit, but they 90 not feel inclined to be the
coat that pulls other peoples chestnuts from the
Ere.
Mothers and fathers are willing to send THEIR
Toys to the front as soon as they are assured that
THEIR NEICEBORS' BOYS will be sent. But
hey are not imbued with the idea of having their
ems face the lannon's mouth in defense of their
country while other sons Of the community remain
safely at home.
The volunteer system penalties patriotism and
uts a premium On stacking, for the patriot goes
20 war for SIS a month while the Stacker remains
It home and earns from $50 to 500 a month.
Tie congress should Immediately enact into
law the presidents recommendations for conlpul.
,rv service. The congressman Or senator who
can not publicly defend the Stacker should not in
turn be a congressional Stacker himself.
Let congress once pass a universal service law
and you will find an instant change in the senti-
nlent of the young men Of this country. There
VII be an enthusiastic rush to the colors that will
surprise even the president himself, for each
young enthusiast Will have the satisfaction of
knowing that he is not being asked to take his
life il his hand to defend a neighbor who Stacks at
home.
The latent patriotism Of this country is I'M
bounded, but there is snloldering resentment of in
Justice that is holding back patriots who are sim
ply itching to ge$ 70 the front.
II we are to fight a war of humanity let us first
make it a war of justice to our own young blood.
We venture the assertion that if it we're put
4 vote OF the young men of this community eight
out Of every ten would refuse to enlist under the
present antiquated and unjust volunteer system,
but would heartily support universal service.
The blood o. our own young men is red and
contains no water, but they believe in a patriotism
that is founded upon justice.
Universal service must come, and it should
come, without another instant Of delay.
The welfare of our country permits of no
Stacking, either in congress or elsewhere
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