Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-15

ant but armed criminals, governed
only by unleashed covetousness and
lust.
Thus the military collapse of Rus
STA, which had been begun under the
rotten government of the Romanoffs,
was completed under the weak and
irresponsible regime of Kerensky and
Is multiplied now. Socialism has
ruined Russia after tossing aside an
opportunity to re-make it as sequel
to last years revolution.
Socialism, capitalized and directed
with almost superhuman cunning by
the Germans, worked its way across
the pitted acres of No Mans Land be-
tween the Austrian and Italian lines
last summer Prisoners taken by the
Italians proved to be eloquent social
istic agitators. They spread their
poisonous doctrine in Cadorna's armies
under the guise of pacifism and anti
imperialism. Then followed Cadorna's
disastrous retreat, which all but
ruined Italy as military factor in the
war and almost opened path for the
Huns into southeastern France.
Socialism has insinuated itself into
certain labor organization in the Unit.
ed States although it is frowned upon
by others. Those in which it has OBJ
tanned hold, however, are to be iden-
titled by the number of strikes they
have instituted since America entered
the war. Some others, in which So
cialism has less power, have been
withheld from strikes only by the
most heroic efforts on the part of loyal
American citizens who, fortunately,
hold offices and predominating influ-
ence within the craft organizations.
Socialism, through the lawless /. w.
w., has robbed the United States of
much of its shipping strength by
means of some of these strikes. So
cialism, working through cunning
emissaries, was in part responsible for
last falls coal mine strike in Illinois.
Socialism is the moving spirit of the
pacifist clan which was driven from
four states last summer after having
tricked United States senator and
held disloyal meeting under the roof
of the nations capitol.
Socialism is working under the alias
of the Nonpartisan league today, in
Iowa and neighboring states, to dis
rupt the government of each state and
eventually strike at the government of
the nation.
Already, socialism has aided Ger
many by removing Russia from the
war and by Transforming Italy from
an asset to liability on the ledger of
the entente. These two events have
heightened the war by years and the
roll of casualties by millions.
In England and Frence, as well as in
America, socialism is working cease
lessly to weaken the fabric Of national
patriotism and loyalty to the govern
ment. Only in Germany is 1t unable to
count actual results The single gov
eminent left in the world which COM
bines all the evils against which the
doctrines of socialism's creed are
written-save only Christianity-is the
one which is able, thus far at least,
to hold socialism in check and treat it
with contempt.
Every move which socialism has
made since the war began has counted
on the side of the kaiser. They are
the twin enemies of law, order, gov
eminent, Christianity, world peace and
democracy.
No one who reads current history in
diligently can escape this conclusion.
And yet, here in America, socialism
is condoned, tolerated and even given
rank as a political party. Blindly,
&c TING npono pdo n
be spread within the country which,
il it attains the end it seeks, will
plunge the government into oblivion
and the people into chaos.
Socialism is not political party;
1t Is a campaign for destruction. 1t
adopts the form of political party in
America merely as means of obtain
ing control Of the government which
it plots to overthrow. While it is in
the minority it lacks influence, but If
it should obtain majority it would
be the only influence; there would be
no other. The success of socialism
and the achievement of it's aim could
not mean other than destruction of
the government and all its institu.
tons. That government lives on under
he administration of either democratic
or republican party. These are parties
formed under the institutions and for
the perpetuity Of that government.
Fundamentally they differ from so.
cialism and the latter should have no
recognition under any alias as poll
teal party.
Any community Of voters which per
mits a socialist to hold government.
al office, however small, is inviting
destruction of government and streng'
thening the hands of anarchy for its
ultimate effort to achieve chaos in
America like that which exists In Rus
sia today.
The Lenine-Trotzsky regime in Rus.
STA, which has been endorsed so warm
| ly by Americas socialistic leaders,
struck it's latest blow at order last
week when it confiscated all the prop
erty of the state church and placed its
official seal Of disfavor on the faith
which has 100000 communicates in
Russia and which for 400 years has
II T. Loo u IS