The Marietta journal and courier., 1918-04-05
PATRIOTISM is NOT
NEGATIVE So SAYS
MR.. CLAIBORNE
He Pleads For Unity and
Active Support of Gov
ernment By All.

Having been born and bred on a
farm. and being proud of the fact,
desire to enter a protest against
the implied charge in Mr. Fowler's
letter last week that the Farmers will
rpmain satisfied with Negative Pa
triotism. l feel that a great many of
.We farmers" would be ashamed to
substitute that as a statement OF
+beir "war aims" and interest in
their county's cause.
|. 1t is surely not proof of pa
triotism for one to eat corn bread
now when he has been enjoying this
delicious food all his life. And most
of us have been eating it, and we
hope it will not be necessary to give
it up. And it is cheaper for the far
mer to do this, because he raises his
own corn, while others must buy at
good price from him.
2. 1t is not proof of patriotism
becauses a farmer raises corn and
hogs and wheat and potatoes, as he
has always done.
3. Nor is it a prof, when he brings
these things to town and sells them
at a price from three to five times
as much as heretofore to support
Mr.. Cityman. And no man feels like
bowling the knee and weeping tears
of Joy for the privilege of paying
from So to So for corn, So bushel
for meal, $125 per hundred for hen
grass hay, and $1.20 bushel for
oats.
a. Neither does Mr.. Cityman think
it is love for him that leads the far
mer to raise this food, but rather be-
cause it is profitable.
5. 1t is not proof Of patriotism
when the farmer raises cotton to sell
for from 80 to 35c.
And so where does this patriotism
come in as set forth in the letter re-
ferred to. 1t does not appear. The
writer falls into the error that he
charges to the city loafer,-hitting
at the other fellow.
The Loafer's Criticism.
never have time to listen to the
loafer, therefore pass without hear
ing his remarks.
But has come from all over this
county and state that the farmer has
not taken much interest in the work
of his government at this time,
though he is more prosperous than
ever. From whom does this inform
alton come? Not from loafers; but
from postmasters, bankers, mail car
riers, and etc. And it is true.
What Is the Reason?
The farmer is noble-hearted and
generous when he knows Of need. l
know them. Sons of farmers are
giving their lives for the country;
and their fathers will give of their
means when they know.
The reason is that they have been
so busy raising and selling that they
have not had time to read and to
know of the need.
What to DIDO.
Your writer says we do not know
what to do. He is mistaken. Our
government in whose hands we have
entrusted the destiny of this nation
has told US. Put your hearts inter
est behind the government. Lend
some of your money to the govern
ment at 1-2 per cent interest by
buying Liberty Bonds or War Saw
jngs Stamps. 1t is not gift, but a
loan.
What Some Workers Have Done.
On Saturday, March 23rd, the day
OF the great Contest Sale, in the Ma
fietta Knitting Mill, the Managers
owners loaned the Government ST.
25O. The Clerks $3O2; The Workers,
girls and boys and men, whose wages
range from So week to $21 loaned
S3431. And these wages buy less
corn meal, and less oatmeal, and less
meat, and less cotton clothing than
ever before because the farmer gets
MORE than ever before
The farmers purchases of the last
issue of Liberty Bonds amounted to
one per cent of the total. Less than
two dozen purchased War Savings
Certificates at the March 23rd sale.
On tha+ cnnno dn,r the unrknaen at