Lexington dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-13
HOW TO HELP WIN THE WAR.
(Advice to Americans Between the
Ages of Thirty and Fifty.)
By GEORGE ADE.


work in support of the boys at the
front will be shouldered cheerfully by
men and women a little too old for
acrobatic service, but not yet frosted
at the temples.
They will supply part Of the money
and most of the "pep" needed to sup
ply and encourage huge army in
the field.
It is for them to realize that we
have passed the period of doubling
and question answering.
We have come to the days when
hustling must supplant conversation.
It was all right six months ago to
spare an hour day in trying to con-
vince some one with a vacant eye and
a dark mind that we were really
justified in accepting the insolent
challenge thrown at us by Germany.
You are to be forgiven if, even
four months ago, you spent valuable
time trying to convince a sluggish
minority that
First-Government bonds are a
safe investment.
Second-Pro-German propaganda
is to be hit in the head.
Third-The Allies are to be
trusted.
Fourth-The Red Cross is above
suspicion and does not obtain either
money or knitted goods under false
pretenses. ....
Fifth-All taxes which have been
levied are justified by extraordinary
and unprecedented conditions.
Sixth-This is not a rich mans
war; it was not precipitated by any
Wall Street influence; it is not con-
cerned over private investment; it is
not grand benefit for munition ma
kers.
Seventh-Fair promises have no
value when they are made by GRIM
inal who finds himself backed into a
corner. :, .'.,r'-
Eighth-That men in our training
camps and aboard transports and sta
toned somewhere in France are
being safeguarded as American SOL
diers never before were looked after,
as regards wholesome food, proper
sanitation, prevention of disease, and
moral guidance. >.,
Why enumerate further
Abe Martin met a fellow down in
Brown County that never heard of
Tony Pastor, and we have a taxpayer
in our township who thinks the world
is flat, and you can find cabaret per-
formers in New York City who don't
believe there is such place as Iowa,
and clairvoyants still find customers
and you can name qeople who will
consult a patent medicine "ad" in
preference to a doctor, and old
Jethro Tilford, over in Shelby Town
ship, carries a dried-up potato to
keep off the rheumatism.
In every community you will find
a contrary-minded sediment of the
human race-people who keep them
selves somewhat in evidence by nois-
ly denying facts which are self-evi-
dent to all of their neighbors who
happen to be in the full enjoyment
of sanity.
They are somewhat like frogs, i. e.
they make an AWFUL noise in proper
ton to their number.
Now, if you will take the trouble
to check up in your immediate neigh
borhood the people who, from the be-
ginning of the war, have been full of
doubts and questions and false
alarms, you will find that they are
few in number and of precious little
Importance, except as atmospheric
disturbances.
Also, did it ever occur to you:
That the man who had bought
most literally of Government bonds
never questioned the safety of his
security?
That the woman who was knitting
the most socks and sweaters never
believed the silly stories about the
Red Cross being a crooked institu.
ton?
That the soldier boy about tc
board a transport and join his com
rades of France and Great Britain
never was known to doubt the sim
cerity of the men with whom he was
| soon to ioin shoulders?