Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1918-01-16
EDITORIAL
A DREAM OF TODAY

la the dream it seemed he was silent spectator
in a throng. 1t seemed in the dream that the
scene was great hall and at the upper end of
that hall was a dais. Seated on the dais was an
elderly looking man of very vigorous appear
ance This old gentleman was kindly looking and
at first glance seemed almost simple. But look
ing closer one could see a quizzcal shreWdness
behind the pleasant smile This old man, who
seemed the center of affairs, had an old-fashOn-
ed beaver hat on his head and wore chin beard
1t didn't take very long to tell who he was. IL
fact it was our Uncle Sam. Around the dais were
q number Of men. It seemed that they had been
summoned by Uncle Sam to his council hall. And
it seemed that when the last one had come in
Uncle Sam called them in front Of him and spoke
as follows
Well boys you are all here and [ am mighty
glad to see you. Things haven't been well of late
in this country Of ours and L wanted to call you
all in and have little council Of war You see
there are SO many of you now and each has his
rights. But with these rights are obligations and
I want to talk about that too. In the first place
we are in a big war This war wasn't of my MAX
ing-in fact it was forced on me. But they made
me fight or eat crow and you know | can't do
the last. At least not too much of it although
will stand a great deal to have peace"
Uncle Sam was pleasant you see and familiar
like most Americans are. Over across they call
us breezy" Maybe it is So: Anyhow Uncle Sam
spoke good deal as we do. His grammar was
not the best either but it was straight United
States and easy to understand.
"Dutchy, | want to talk to you first Of all
You look kind Of sour and .disgruntled and a
little bit afraid. First of 4tdon't get scared.
am not going to hurt you oretake your property
away from you. Unfortunately it's your father
land l am at war with but. that is not my making
It's merely circumstance Now you are here,
want you to be what you have always been-a
good, law abiding citizen. I want you to remember
that this is your country just as much as it is
any ones else You came here in the early days
because you wanted to own your own home and
be q free man. [ welcomed you and gave you
homestead rights. In fact | did everything
could for you because 7 liked you and wanted
you. Didn't |? Sure I did. heed your honesty
and industry now more than ever. You love the
soil and you are my best farmer So want YOU
to go right ahead raising big crops and doing
your utmost for me. And last Of all remember
that this is your country and the only country
you have Stand by me and I'll stand by you
Nov, John Bull you come up here | need
you too You were my pioneer boy and | speak
your language because you opened up the country
and blazed the trails. But YOU must not let your
ability to think and plan making you arrogant as
it has often done. This is democracy and be-
cause you are smart and have brains you must
use them for me and not for you | need your
high conception Of justice and your statesman
ship. Y on founded this country and made most of
It's laws. Be sure in time of strife that you keep
blind prejudice out and conserve the rights Of
other men.
pat you keep on doing police duty and gener-
ally running things. Don't abuse your authority
and don't let graft money stick to your fingers.
And don't forget that we want to laugh once in
while.
"Scotchy, SO mum and self-satisfed like, you
just come up here. You are shrewd and thrifty
and darned good mechanic [ want you to keep
on building my railroads and running my factor
les. Keep your brains working on new things as
the world is ablaze and | need Inventions Pro
duction, Scotchy, is the word Don't forget it.
Tony if you don't quit bombing things up
| will have to run you out of the country You
have been doing most of my hard work and do
ing it cheerfully and pleasantly But for heavens
sake quit your anarchist foolishness and settle
down to biz. | know you are all right when the
pinch comes but it seems like you must have
some mischief brewing. Remember you are in
a REAL COUNTRY now where such things are
not needed.
Nicholas, you are miner and good one
need coal. Some day maybe | will have a better
job for you but right now coal want and must
have You mine and I'll do the rest.