The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-24
HE GIVES HIS SIDE
TOpeka's Champion Army
DOdger Explains Reasons.
Wants Friends To Know Why
He VIII Not Fight.
TAKES SLAP At OFFICIALS
Says They Disregard Laws
They Seek To Enforce.
Patterson Claims To Be ePure
American Stock"

| John Martin Patterson, of 512 Clay
street, whose right leg is three fourths
OF an inch shorter than his left and
whose patriotism is shorter than that
of any other man yet found in Kansas,
tdraft officials assert. is anxious that
his friends understand - hts position
thoroly and has requested publication
of a statement made by him and on
file in the adjutant generals office in
which he states the reasons why he
has refused to report for military SER
| vice.
Patterson's case not only is one of
the most brazen efforts yet made in
| the state to escape army service. ac-
cording to draft officials, but it has
given him the unusual distinction of
having defied army authorities since
the early part of the year thru the in
ability of Topeka officials to take ae-
ton because of the jurisdiction of a
Chicago draft board where Patterson
REGISTERED.
Takes Slap at Officials.
In his statement of reasons. Tope-
kas champion army dodger takes a
direct slap at all government officials
by saying that the laws they are trying
to enforce are used in an oppressive
manner in utter disregard of civil and
religious rights. His statement fol-
lows:
since L am q native hanSan OF pure
American stock and have spent the most of
my life in Topeka and vicinity, 1 feel 1t
my, duty to explain to my many friends
and acquaintances the reason for taking
the 'collse that l have.
My claim is that the draft board refused
to recognize my position as member of
ton. the creed of which forbids its MEM
bers to participate In war In any form. L
was denied even deferred classification.
1 recognize that it is the duty of every
person to abide by the laws of the land,
but when those laws are disregarded by
the men having obligation to execute them,
or when such laws are used in an Op-
pressiye manner In utter disregard of civil
and religious rights, then for me. as
Of the officers is not violation of the
law. 1 owe an. allegiance to my Heavenly
Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ. my
redeemer, that is higher than the allegi-
ance to any Institution on earth. My lord
commands that / shall not kill. neither
nize it as my first obligation to obey the
Lord.
willing for Others to Fight.
/ am not against the war nor any phase
or feature of it so far as others are con-
| cerned. Let every man render unto
unto to God the things that are Geds. The The
true Christian, however, cannot do the
things that the nome Christian can do. God
requires much more from him.
l do not dispute the Justice of the allied
cause. L doubt not the sincerity of our
honorable president, nor Amer1cas nobility
Of purpose. but all this would not excuse
the Christian for breaking the Lords I'M
conditional commands. He did not qualify
them: He did not say-now under certain
instead, He said. when smitten one
cheek turn the other also" These together
with all the precepts Of the Prince of
Peace mean to continue to observe stead
| lastly and without hesitancy or question to
the best of my ability.
quences l do not fear. Hardships. denial
or even death are as easy for my King and
country rs for the soldiers in France. 1t
is the hope of the after life that Quickens
and sustains me.
Reasons presented as to why men should
at this time take up arms for their country
true Christian exercise restraint and self
control that he in duty. 'obey the voice of
God rather than the voice Of man..
Loves His Enemies.
When the Lord gave His followers these
plain and positive commands as to what
they must do in order to be distinguished
that this would not be easy. For the
Christian to love his enemies. do good
unto them that hate him and pray for them
that despitefufly use him and prosecute
him." He knew would require effort and
courage. He knew that the tests would be
searching and severe that pre 9t,ss; ms
promised reward that will be ineftably
glorious. A reward too great to be com
pared with this life's crosses.
In support of my position refer you to
those sacred records of faithful Christian
martyrs of Bible times and Of that long
period of the Dark Ages. I refer you also
to the whole teaching Of the Book of the
New Testament.
1 only regret that cannot refer you to
the ministers of our day, but alas. they.
with some noble exceptions, have fallen TO
a level with the world. For some time even
before the war their practices and teach
ings had become diluted with worldli-
ness and the world spirit that one could
not discriminate between them.
H. -ye %. int .t,oti ..ot IL
that I am ia nowise pro-German. The
Christian could not have the slightest
sympathy for such cruelties and barbarities
JOHN MARTIN PATTERSON. . r