Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1918-10-03

continue their democratic form of gov
eminent and preserve unto them
selves their hard-earned liberties with
opportunity to improve them and thus
contribute to the betterment of all
mankind, or shall the attainments of
centuries-old struggles for freedom and
liberty be blasted into oblivion by a
ruthless military caste and all, the peo-
pie of the world be menaced and
ruled by the tyranny of triumphant
military despotism? That is the great
underlying principle to be determined
and the one that has caused millions
of men to be gripped in death strug-
gle, the enormity and hellfury vio-
lence Of which is unprecedented in
the worlds history and beyond the
power of human mind to fully compre-
hend. On one side are arrayed the
legions of a military caste, driven to
battle by the mailed fist of Autocracy.
On the other side are the forces of
Democracy heroically answering the
challenge to do battle in defense of
liberty, justice and humanity. Into
this crucible of horror America has
cast her lot with the forces OF Dem
ecracy and summoned her sons to
help throw of the yoke of threatened
Autocracy SO that the peoples Of all
the nations OF the world shall be free
to follow the tenor of their own de-
sign.
Our Solemn Obligation.
The momentous decision of our Gov
eminent to throw the nations re-
sources into this mighty conflict and
to give of her sons, and of her wealth,
to the cause of humanity, imposes
upon every American and upon every
mar who has partaken of Americas
bounty the solemn obligation of loyal
ty in doing their part to win victory
for the cause America represents, no
matter whether they be found as SOL
diers in the battle lines or as work.
ers in industrial pursuits.
The full significance of this awful
cataclysm that has overtaken the
world and or relation thereto is, as
yet by us, scarcely realized. though
thousands of our countrymen are now
in the battle lines and myriads more
are preparing to follow. These, our
countrymen, the select of America,
scholars, college men, professionals Of
all the arts and trades, and ciences,
sons of the rich and sons of the poor,
men who love life as well as we but
who prefer liberty to life without lib
erty, have made common cause and
entered the lists in answer to the ma
tons needs. These men, every one
hero, with the courage of Spartans
and the souls of martyrs, go to the
battle grounds to face every death
dealing device human brain can devise
for the destruction OF man and offer
their lives in defense of democracy
and the freedom of the peoples of the
world, and they will do this with the
full knowledge that millions Of their
kind have already been ruined physi-
cally and mentally and left TO suffer a
living death, while other millions have
blasted into bits and their shreds
trampled into the muck and mire of
this laundering inferno of death and
destruction. Upon these who stay at
home will devoIve the obligation Of
making it possible for those at the
front to have lighting chance.
Workers Behind the Line
Upon our workers OF America de
wolves tremendous obligation; that
Is the obligation Of aiding ara sustain
ing our countrymen under arms while