The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-03-15
PATRIOTISM
NEEDED

The Commission of Public
Safety, which is at the head OF
all branches of patriotic work
and war endeavor in the State OF
Minnesota, feels that there is
need in the North Star State OF
a militant, aggressive patriotism
the patriotism that will not
tolerate treason in any form from
any man; the patriotism that will
gladly make sacrifices for our
country at this time and earnestly
seek opportunities where it might
be of service. 1t is and has been
difficult to arouse our people to
the idea that our country, our be-
loved United States, is fighting
for its right to a free existence.
People seem to be oblivious Of
the fact that German victory will
mean subjugation of our coun-
try and Of every country which
is at war with Germany, in case
the Prussian military autocracy
succeeds in winning the war.
Many people still seem to feel
that they have a right and are
free to sympathize with Germany.
This right ceased to exist on April
6, 1917. 1t is very obvious that
no man is loyal to the United
States who is not whole heartedly
for it and her associates. No di-
vided patriotism is possible; no
such thing as divided allegiance
exists. Those who have been dis
loyal or even lukewarm must be
brought to recognize these facts
and change Of heart must be
had or they must face the pun
ishment that traitors deserve.
Treason consists in giving aid and
comfort to the enemy. This is a
- time that all hearts must be
searched, on the part of those
who claim to be loyal and some
who think they are loyal, but
who are acting in such manner
as to win approval in Berlin
The time has come when such
men must choose the one thing or
the other. They are either pa
triots or traitors. There is abso.
lutely no middle ground to take
The time has come when loyal
citizens must join forces in max
ing war upon those who persist IL
disoyal stand and will join in
every effort to either convert
them or strip them Of their FALSE
pretense. 1t is realized that there
are men who are unconsciously
disloyal simply because they DE-
not realize the German menace
These people should be made tt
see the truth. There are Others
who are consciously disloyal ant
there is no reason why thes,
should not receive the treatmen
which treason deserves. There i
absolutely no justice or sense IL
the use of mild measures witt
men who start fires or commf
other acts to the injury OF thi
country and who are a menace t
our national welfare.
The Commission of Publ
Safety urges upon all public OF
ficials that they exercise the III
most vigilance in these cases an,
it is urged upon the people tn
necessity of a virile, fighting, red
blooded patriotism in order t
awaken the great mass Of peopl
to the dangers which confront u:
The disloyal or seditious person
must also be warned of the dar
gers which confront them.
The Commission of Publ
Safety us doing it's utmost to urg
loyalty on the part of the churc
and school. 1t invites the hel
of every good man and woman i
pushing forward all branches Q
patriotic endeavor. 1t urges tina
the people of the cities and town
invite the cooperation and hel
Of all who live in the country, j
promoting all patriotic sentimer
and increasing the states contr
button Of food to our associate
1t also urges the enthusiastic an
continued patriotic support Of a
organizations, labor unions, fir;
ternal societies, etc. We realiz
the necessity of all lovers {