Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-19

n
u trenches and the full, far-reaching import
OF the conflict "oyer there is borne home to
American hearts and firesdes, people grow
less and less tolerant of politicians who seek 10
hamper the effective prosecution Of the war or who
otherwise give aid and comfort TO the foe. In the
recent action of the Wisconsin Legislature con-
demning Senator La Toilette, We hear the rumble
of a nationwide wrath and see a foreshadoWmg
of that memorable judgment that awaits pro-Ger-
mans and MALT hearted Americans in every nook
and corner Of this land La Toilette and his ike
have counted upon prO-German, anti-WilsOn fac
tiOn TO tide their political fortunes over an out
. ragged public sentiment. He of them all had prob
ably the most reasonable hope because of the
large TeutOnic element in Wisconsin. But the
Legislature of his State seized its first opportunity
10 dislusion him and to v1ndicate the honor of
the people he misrepresented. Almost unanimously
it adopted the resolution:
I'VE condemn Senator La Toilette and all
others who have failed TO support our Govern
ment in matters vital TO the winning of the
war. We denounce any utterance of theirs
which has tended to incite sedition among the
people and to injure WiscOnsin's fair name be-
fore the free peoples of the earth.
For the name La Toilette, substitute that of
any Senator or Congressman who has failed Ito
support our Government in matters vital to the win
ming OF the war, and the Wisconsin resolution will
pass overwhelmingly in any State which has been
similarly misrepresented. Fortunately for the ma
tons security and honor. public men of this type
cOnspicuously few, but even one would be de-
pIorable. No Commonwealth, community
afford to countenance man who refuses to sup
port our Government in matters vital to the win
ming of the war" or whose utterances tend to in
cite sedition among the people" La Toilette, for
all his shame, at least consistent enough to
vote against our going to with Germany. But
others of his kind, after voting to put us into the
war. have opposed almost every measure essential
10 winning it Their course is to be censured even
more than his if that were possible, because while
he parted ways with his country at the outset they
have turned recreant in the midst of the fight.
Consider for example their attitude toward the
Selective Service law Some Senators and Con-
gressmen OF unimpeachable loyalty opposed this
measure before its enactment; but once 1t was the
law they supported it without reserve. In the first
they erred in judgment, they themselves
perceive; but the issue having been fairly de-
bated and settled, they closed ranks and marched
whole heartedly forward with their Government
The suking maIcOntents, on the contrary, persist
ed in efforts to prejudice and infiame the people
against this most necessary and truly democratic
law. However they may explain their motives and
aims, the fact stands that they failed to support
our Government in matters vital to the winning
of the war and that their utterances tended ito
incite seditiOn. Their subsequent course has been
no better; indeed it has gone from bad to worse.
Repeatedly they have fought legislation that was
indispensable the publics safety and to the vel
fare of our one and a half million troops Their
chief purpose and pride seem TO have been to OPP
pose every plan of the Administration, every re-
quest of President Wilson, the nations Commander
in-Chief. And pleasing has their conduct been
to the Huns that their names baZoned in Berlin
newspapers Americans OF an independent mind.
For all these. whatever their station their
plea, day of judgment and OF stern accounting is
heart OF his political fastness is but among
many kindred Omens. To the same puTpOrt is the
outcome of the recent New York elections in which
supporters of the President easily and in
which the anti-war vote negligible Wherever
and whenever there is a test between friends and
foes of the Government. between helpers and him
derers of the President, between whole-hearted
Americans and political sulkers, the result is in
varfabIy the same. And will ii continue until
the nations councils purged OF the last vestige
of pro-Germanism and half-heartedness. The peo-
pIe are determined that henceforth only Americans
shall be on guard in this fateful time-Americans
who are unreseTvedly true to the nations cause
and heartily responsive to the Governments needs.
Iip-serviCe will no longer suffice. The Senator or
CONGRESSMAN or any other public official whose
course of action does not contribute to the winning
of the war will be repudiated-
Too much is at stake to permit any other policy
too many vital interests. too many human lives.
Our fortunes, our freedom, national destiny,
are all in the balance. Our sons and brothers are
at the battlefront in constantly swelling numbers.
a million and a half under arms, and two
million soon will be Shall the cause they are fight
ing for he imperiIed and the supreme sacrifice they
are making be cheapened by "a little group of viii
full men" who Willingly not, are playing into
the hands of the Huns2 They who in this hour
are not wholly for America are against her, and
against THEM shall be raised the hand Of every
American who is worthy Of his freedoms birth
right