The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-08
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

| 1 ing over the nations, without a warning a sudden flash that lit up the heavens from east to west, followed by roll of thunder that still reverberates eveh across continents and over seas
 This war has two aspects. Just ut present our thoughts are fastened on the external, or international, aspect; put when peace comes still bigger question will be up for solution, for then will come the testing time of the democracy for which we have fought, and it's high time for us to get ready to face intelll- gently .he internal, or domestic, phase of the titanic struggle.
 l am no alarmist, and I have faith in the common sense of the American peo- pie, and, therefore, I do not believe that any such revolution as has disrupted and humiliated Russia can be staged in this country; and yet am sure it is in the hearts of certain discredited leaders here to do their best to bring about dis content among certain sections of dis | that will make for serious trouble in our social and economic life
 Our mi;ids at this stage of the game are taken dp with "slackers," alien ene- mes. pacifists, conscientious objectors, profitetrs and the balance of the vulture brood, who are willing to reap the re- wards of living in America without be- ing moved by the spirit of democracy or willing to share in the sacrifices necessary to preserve their lives and their property They are under ban and being watched. The espionage bill, which George Huddeston voted against, Was framed to give protection against their unpatriotic conduct.
 Now, the thing I am trying to get at watch against the miserable crew of in grates who, living under the protection of the flag of this free country, yet have no real love for the Stars and Stripes; but are, under cover, giving comfort to the Kaiser, and are prouder of the im-
 
 of the democratic American eagle, and who in their hearts hope to live to see the day when Old Glory will have to De lowered to the hated Hohenzollern crest. which is a black bird of prey, with tall ons dripping with blood, on field of gold; but, thank God, it will never be. for our boys are beating the best shock troops of the crown prince in their tri- umphant march to Berlin.
 
 But the thing we have got to watch with more care than the spy and pro- German, are the miserable Americans who, even in the midst of the conflict, when American blood is being shed 10 preserve the liberty for which our fore fathers gave theirs, are willing, in order to be leaders, to foment discon- tent among the laborers against their employees, and for differences which could be settled by arbitration, are only walk out, even though men of their own blood are standing in muddy trenches or going out into "No Mans Land" and facing death.
 I have infinitely more respect for the German sympathizer who in his zeal, takes risk of being caught and punished, than I have for the sleek labor agitator or insinuating politician who, at no risk of life, joins in arraigning class against class and lives by causing trou- ble between their fellow men at time han ba ntryt a at stake, and thousands of workers are fighting side by side with men of means to beat back the military hordeS which swarm out of the north to overrun the fair fields of France, already having laid bare those of helpless but brave Belgium.
 I have ccntended that ever since the first battle of the Marne the Ger mans were beaten above ground, and that ever since they have been striving to win by a peace offensive which would spell victory for the militariStS of Wls- helmstrasse. In order to compass this they started their great underground campaign, and to me underground Ger manism' is more to be feared than the Prussians in military array, for a brave nation knows how to meet an enemy i'll the open, but i3 unwilling to stoop to
  dealings necessary to debauch men, to corrupt the press, and to hoodwink whole people.
 That there is a real danger, and to show am not erecting Q '.man of straw for the simple pleasure of pulling him to pieces. l have but to remind you who read this of how 1t was Germany's gold which, well placed in certain se- lect coteries in Russia. was able to buy the hired assassns who were ready to asSassinate their own country. until to- day the namG of poor Russia is a by- word and smells to heaven; not because the bulk of the nation are lacking in viril- ity, but owing to the fact that they were shamelessly betrayed by honeyed promises of social, political and economic reforms, and led into the wilderness by seductive phrases.
 
 Never did people fight against powerful foe with more courage than the Italians. The things the army did under Corcona in scaling the hitherto impossible mountains and dragging their big guns along with them to route the picked battalions of the Kaiser, was the military marvel of the war. And ye., "undergr ound Germanism' was silently at work and what the militarists could not do-that is, break the morale of the l fighting men-was accomplished Dy treachcry, and for the moment proud Italy sat in the dust and ashes of de- feat; but, thank God, she rose up and shook off the lethargy into which sho l had been sunk by the poisonous dope instilled by German agents, and is now