The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-18
SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT


The following editorial by John Temple Graves,
which was published few days ago In the
Atlanta Georgian is of interest as an expression
of the cooperation which the newspapers OF the
South are giving the government in the winning
OF tie zhzT: d0s
The Southern publishers, in session at Ashe-
vile, adopted unanimously and with enthusiasm,
a series of ringing resolutions ''pledging their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to
the President and the Government in this hour of
national need and opportunity
The resolutions were at once eloquent and time
ly Coming from the official and representative
lips Of the most powerful and influential organi-
zation of the South-the voice and wellspring OF
its public opinion-the deliverance must carry
more than ordinary weight and satisfaction.
The resolutions will illustrate as nothing else
has done the complete and splendid unity in
which the entire country now stands behind the
President in the conduct of the war.
Time was, and not so long ago, when the coun-
Try was apathetic, if not antagonistic to the war.
The most peaceful of nations, our republic, was
slow to awaken to the spirit of war fought so
far from home Loyal to the Government and
believing in the President, there were yet thous-
ands of men in every section who were not grudg-
lngly but reluctant of entrance upon the clossal
strife. There were pacifsts as honest as the
most militant who carried their faith on their
knowledge that when necessity became evident
there was no energy too great, no sacrifice too
Deep to express their devotion to their country
and it's ideals. s4
1t is nothing less than true to say that the
South, whose loyalty has always been on the life
and death quality, not among the first to en-
ter into the spirit of the war. Scorched more
deeply than any other section by the flame and
fire of the Civil War; it naturally hesitated to en-.
ter upon new and vastly large carnival of blood
and death.
Step by step the South has assembled to the pin.
nacle of ideal and aspiration from which oul
world now looks down upon the indispensable nee
essity of this vast and fateful Armageddon OF
Liberty and Humanity and Civilization
But the South has come. 1t has comprehend
ed the immortal meaning of the things for which
we fight 1t has caught to a man the spirit of
this mighty martial evangel of the right of ham
1t has unsheathed its sword. It has unlocked
its Golfers. 1t has unleashed it's energies and its
genius, and those who know the South best of
al-the editors and publishers of its potential
newspapers-have voiced i'm ringing fervor the
deep and undying pledge of the South's all to the
country in its battle array, and to the immortal
commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the
United States.
The very terms of the publishers resolutions
are inspiring. There is no conservative tone
There is no reservation of speech There is no
haf-nearted conservation. But full, complete
and overwhelming, the spirit of the South voiced
IN the loyal and unfettered press, pledges every
thing--fortune, honor and life to the republic in
need.
The note sounded in that great and representa-
tive body at Ashevie must ring through the re-