Oxford eagle., 1918-10-31
WHAT STATE CAN
MATCH IFS PATRIOTISM?

MATCH ITS PATRIOTISM
This is d story OF state that found
itself.
When the United States entered
the great war, Mississippi far remov-
cd from the great centers of human
activity, and essentially a rural
commonwealth, heard the news in a
sort OF q daze.
Her newspapers sought to arouse
the people, public meetings were held,
the ministers rallied 10 the call OF
their country-but if the urban popu-
latlon was aroused, there was still the
drag Of the Tar back" communities
struggling with their first interna-
tional problems.
Tue war drives IN the early days Oh
iAst year were amply responded to III
not hIed, and it was not until the
nrst OF the present year that one
s~ased q real feeling in the state OF
earnestness toward war problems.
Then the various campaigns began
TO come thick and fast, and organl-
cations that were the results of weeks
Of work by the best business men IN
the state combed every backwoods
district for subscriptions, and Incl
dentally sent the best speakers TO be
had into these territories TO educate
the people.
The Red Cross drive of the sum
mer, in which the state trebled Its
quota and gave more than $1,000
600, the War Savings drive, in which
the states quota OF $4,000, 900 WAS
sold easily, and the third Liberty Loan
Dive, which went through quickly
without strain. all were symptoms Of
an aroused state, awakened by the
constant hammering Of the press, By
hundreds Of speeches, BY the letters
from France written by sons and
brothers and friends, and by the
marching away almost daily Of draft
contingentS
But lingering doubts of the states
100 per cent. feeling Of patriotism
were entirely swept away by the
conference for the United War Fund
drive just held in Jackson.
Similar meetings have been held
IN every southern state-two Of them
in large cities, like Atlanta and
Blrningham-but Mississippi beat
even these.
Nearly 1000 delegates registered a.
the great convention and when Gyps,
Smith attempted TO address the crowds
that had gathered to hear him tn
irst night of the convention it Wa
found necessary to have him speal
twice in the two largest auditorium
Of the city. Nearly 5000 persons
or one-ffth the population o
jackson, heard him, and hundred
were turned away.
1t rained the night he spoke. bu
cars stood in lines for blocks near tn
two churches where he was 10 appea
two hours before the meeting.
Two thousand persons attended tn
session Of the conference, represent
ing every section of Mississippi, an
the states quota, fixed at $7O0,O0'
win be doubled, according to Leader
in the state who understand II
spirit now behind the war work
progress.
Negroes heard the speeches ar
held conferences during the meeting
It was pronounced the create
meeting Of its kind ever held in Il
South in point of numbers, spir
displayed and quality of delega
and yet it was held in the middle
the cotton picking season, when bus
ness men are all working night al
day and planters at the height Of the
activities.
It was thrilling to see the crow
pack the two great auditoriums
the doors and listen in perfect silen
70 the stories of the war and TO t
needs Of the boys on the other sic
save when some remark broug
forth q storm Of applause.
And the significant thing about I
applause was that it was loudest VIII
some speaker asserted the determir
tioa Of the United States to discS