Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-07-05
FORMER SUBJECT URGES DEFEAT IF
 KAISER WILHELM German Born Calls on Pine Bluffians to Support U.
 s. in War. 1,5OO AT PATRIOTIC
 GATHERING HERE Big Crowd Hears Presidents Message and Addresses and Reaffirms Support of Government by
 Reciting American Creed.
With "Old Glory" floating overhea

With "Old Glory" floating overhead in a stream of light, 1,5OO Americans men, women and children-stood with hands uplifted last night before the courthouse and pledged allegiance to the flag and to defend the princi' ples for which it stands. This came after Judge E. J. Kerwin had deliver ed message from President Wilson and after the assemblage had recited the "American's Creed" led by Alex H. Powell, chairman of the Jefferson county council of defense.
 Could the German kaiser and those other autocrats who would crush de- mocracy have looked upon this scene, and the thousands of similar scenes
 in the United States yesterday and last night, their hearts must have halted and whatever hopes they hold of conquering such liberty-loving people must have been dispelled. It was a 100 per cent American crowd; not very demonstrative crowd, but what is better-a determined crowd and representative one. There was not one person that did not seem will ling to make whatever sacrifice nec- ! essary to win the war, nor that doubted that Dan Taylor spoke as a prophet when he declared that our millions of soldiers and our great re- sources have been marshalled and that when the pinnacle is reached the people can expect "that the German government will be buried under the avalanche of America's power"
 With T. J. Collier presiding as chairman, the meeting was opened by the singing of America" and then there was prayer of strength to make sacrifices and for blessings that victory may soon be achieved. said Dr. w. J. E. Cox. Judge Kerwin pre- ceded delivery of his message from the president by remarking that Tn- dependence Day is new celebrated in many foreign lands, and that there are 100000 American soldiers and sailors who salute the colors with greater zeal than ever before MT. Powell then read the Americans creed and had all repeat it and the oath of allegiance.
 German Ideas Menace Freedom. Dan Taylor, presented to make the principal address of the observance, began by remarking that 142 years ago, when American patriots and lcv- CTS of freedom and liberty decided to cast off the yoke of autocracy, this nation, as we'll as England, was domi- mated by German king, George III. being prince of the house of Han over, and pointed out that today, 142 years after independence had been gained, America finds it necessary to go on the battlefield 5000 miles away to defend those principles of liberty and freedom for which the Americans of 1776 shed their blood and made so many sacrifices.
 "And now again we are fighting a German king," declared Mr. Taylor, while the audience applauded. The speaker said there had been some doubt that the 2Oth century American, who had enjoyed peace and prosperity sacrifices to defend his freedom, but "that the spirit of the patriots of 1776 is possessed by the Americans of to- day." and that more than ten million young men have registered their will lingness to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to maintain those princi- pies set for in the Declaration of In- uepeuueHCe anu uHueT WnlCn Amerl- cans have enjoyed life. Americas Power to Crush Hun. Mir. Taylor reviewed the remark able achievements of the government in the year since war was declared on Germany, reciting what has been ac- complished in raising an army, build ing ships, manufacturing guns and munitions and fabricating airplanes. He declared the American army the best kept and best equipped in the world. and quoted General Pershing as saving that the American soldier, man for man, is the superior of the soldier of any nation in the world "And there are 1.O3O.0OO of those i boys over there in the battle line to- night to lay down their lives, if need be, to maintain the right of people to liberty and freedom" declared the speaker, and the way he said it seem- ed to enable many in the audience to picture in their minds that long line of khaki-clad boys ready to hurl the Prussians back into Germany. Mir.