The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-08-23

the president and the government in
this hour Of national need and oppor-
tunity.
The resolution was at once eloquent
end timely. Coming from the official
and representative lips Of the most
powerful and influential organization
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 presi-
dent in the conduct of the war.
Time was, and not so long ago, when
the country was apathetic, if not an
tagonistic, 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 thousands of
men in every section who were not
grudgingly but reluctant of entering
upon the colossal strife. There were
pacifists as honest as the most mill
tant who carried their faith on their
lips, but who also carried deep in their
hearts the knowledge that when nee
essity became evident there was no en-
ergy too great, no sacrifice too deep,
to express their devotion to their coun-
try and its ideals.
1t is nothing less than true to say
that the south, whose loyalty has al
ways been on the life and death quail
ty, was not among the first to enter
into the spirit Of the war. Scorched
more deeply than other sections by the
fame of the civil war, it naturally hes
itated to enter upon a new and vastly
large carnival of blood and death.
Step by step the south has assembled
to the pinnacle of ideal and aspiration
from which our world now looks down
upon the indispensable necessity of
this vast and fateful Armageddon of
Liberty and Humanity and Civiliza-
ton.
But the south has come. 1t has
comprehended the immortal meaning
of the things for which we fight. II
has caught, to a man the spirit of this
mighty martial evangel of the right Of
man. 1t has unsheathed its sword. II
has unlocked its Golfers. 1t has I'M
leashed its energiesand its genius, and
those who know the south best of all
the editors and publishers of its po-
tential hewspapers-have voiced in
ringing fervor the deep and undyine
pledge of the south's all to the country
il its battle array, and to the immor-
tai commander-in-chief of the army
and navy of the United States.
The very terms of the publishers
resolutions are inspiring. There is nc
conservative tone. There is no reser'
walton of speech. There is no half
hearted conservation. But full, com
plete and overwhelming, the spirit Of
the south, voiced in the loyal and I'm,
fettered press, pledges everything
fortune, honor, and life to the republic
in need.
The note sounded in that great anC
representative body at Asheville mus
ring through the republic. 1t is thC
crescendo of the nations devotion. Il
makes the final setting in that tripl:
crown of southern loyalty that wai
welded first at Manila Bay, and ther
at Santiago, and now ready for the las
service and sacrifice upon the plains o.
France.
Henceforth the south is one with thu
republic, and the south is one with it
self.
Forgetting all differences of opinion
putting behind every waiting purpos
Of deliberation, banishing all unworth.
recrimination among those who differ
ed as to the early policies of the wal
the south now, in mutual well-beseem
!, ing ranks marches all the way, lock
ing arms with every man and ever
force that is doing service to our coun
try,and building future whose stand
, ards shall measure only those who ar
! foremost to fight and last to leave tn
republics service in these tremendou
? times.-John Temple Graves.