The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-01-07
PUSSYFOOT
PATRIOTISM
IS 4 crime
Many People of Country
Fail to Realize Neutrality
Ceased Last April.
Ry virginia Frazer BOYLE

Wy NA%iH1tL IdZ6T bUVlH.J
At one time were were told to be
neutral. but some have forgotten that
the embargc was removed on April
6. 1917. Shame To them that there
are ears which must be assailed by
crfer and bell with the news, but it
is true. Their lethargy or indiffer-
ence might have met with tolerance
prior to that date. but today these
same ears must be nenetrated, wheth-
or they will or no. with the ringing
Challenge, "Dro-German or Ameri--
can!" There can be no middle
ground. no side issue. Before our
declaration the attitude denominated
as "pussyAooting." for want of a more
expressive world might have proceed
ed from laziness. selfshness. or the
shrinking from facing disagreeable
things: now it is a heinous crime.
But it has staEked before trusts will
ling to risk the loss of a nation for
present gain. 1t has been the prop
uganda of wild-eved dreamers who
would see the situation, not as it is,
but as they would have it; and We
neered with peace at any price" it
has dared to garble the words of holy
writ.
With this menace in our midst shall
we be as slow to wake up as was
England? Shall we not heed her
clarion call to profit BY her example?
Shall we wait for the best blood of
our nation to be spilled upon the
fields of France before we can grasp
the crux of the battle to be waged at
home by every man. woman and
child who is American? Ours is not
a fght of avarice or conquest. We
have not set I'D a pagan god to war
with the Kaiser's Thor. Jehovah, the
God of Battle, still is ours, and it
shall he ours to win for Christianity
civilization and liberty for all men
If we do our duty. But there are
other things necessary to solidify the
nation along with conservation, Hoo
verism, and allied Dropaganda- we
must put our personal loyalty to the
test before VIC an try OUT for the
other fellow.
Are you manufacturer OF necessary
war materials "pussvfooting'' around
the hisloval utterances of a business
associate because he is adding dollars
to your Golfers? Are YOU. clubman
treating lightly what that man has
said in the smoking room about YOU
government. because YOU know him as
a. Jolly good fallow' and YOU woulc
not hurt his feelings?" Are you
club woman. passing over seditiou:
utterances of a woman across the ia
BILE who is defiant because she is
woman. because she believes that she
cannot be held responsible? Are vol
little society coward minimizing wha
| you have heard TODAY because the Of
| fender was on your visiting list prio
to April and YOU are too much O
I a ladv'' to he rude? Both trouser
| and petticoats have often concealed
1 jellyfish. and a ramrod is a sugges
ton for the STRENGTHENING of you
| backIbones. These offenders of you
| require the Offices of Secret Servic
/ men if they had the earnest consid
Grafton of the loyal private either
In this grave crisis the government
has not established military law no
defined lese majestic: it has believe
in the sincerity and patriotism of a
it's people. 1t is not CROUCH that the
have sent their sons to France, tina
they have bought Liberty bonds, hay
I contributed largely to the war librar
4 fund, and have worked to make tn
red triangle a success. All this SCI
/ vice avails nothing for the grea
l finality without PERSONAL loyalty, tha
/ loyalty. armored. ready to serv
against any thrust or innuendo ai1ne
| my manner whatsoever against tt
/ integrity of this country.
/ Old GLORY has never trailed sint
/ the first stars were sown upon i
| field, and it is our duty. my duty, II
duty of every man and woman undo
] it, please God! to see that it nevt
4 shalt