The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-03-15
PATRIOTIC CROWD
Rathdrum Rally Last Friday
Largely Attended.

last Friday night, was a success in
point of attendance and enthusiasm
manifested. Speakers for the occasion
were Judge r. N. Dunn Of the district
curt, Mayor G. III. Potts and Geo. f.
Weeks, all or Occur d'Alene. who
have been making speeches In various
places in the county impressing upon
the people the principles Of human
liberty at stake 10 the war and
reminding citizens that it is their
duty to support the government 10 it's
purpose to help defeat the plan of the
kaiser to bring the world under
Prussian military domination.
Applications for membership in the
Rathdrum patriotic league were
distributed thru the audience by the
ushers and freely signed, and many
taken home to be signed by persons
absent from the meeting.
A feature of the rally was the
singing. under direction of N. III.
Taylor, the large chorus choir, from
the school, aud the audience Joining
in "America," "The Long, Long
Trail" "Keep the Home Fires Burn
ing" and 'Star Spangled Banner"
The flag drill of the allies was also
gwen. Attorney Miles F. Egbers
presided. The speeches we're literally
punctuated with applause by the 400
or more persons who crowded the hall.
Judge Dunn, who had made war
time speeches at two flag raising
ceremonies in Rathdrum last year,
again voiced his intense feeling of
patriotism and his impatience and
intolerance OF disl0yalty and treason.
He told how it was now known that
Germany's scheme was for world
domination and that American
liberty was in danger unless the allies
win the war. He said every Ameri-
can at home must be in the army of
producers and helpers to support the
army at the front with labor and
money and good cheer. No red
blooded American will criDge to
PruSsianis:n, he said, and while world
freedom is threatened he said he has
that his own personal material affairs
and those of every other citizen are
worth nothing when compared with
the great principles for which our
country is fighting. He declared
that 10 such times no true American
should tolerate talk or action that is
dislOyal to the United States govern
ment. He urged the-duty OF support.
ing the Red Cross, Y. M. G. A., and
other patriotic drives and the
purchase of thrift stamps and bonds
Mr.. Potts spoke calmly and serious
ly. He said America is SO far from
the battle field that many do not
seem to realize we are at war or have
anything at stake, but as the conflict
progresses it will be brought home to
every community by the lists of
casualties. aud every citizen must be
prepared to bear the losses bravely
and fight on until victory is achieved.
He compared the autocratic military
government of Germany with the
American government in which the
people rule by electing their officers
He said the vast majority of American
citizens should and do appreciate this
government in which they all have a
voice. He said he was glad to say
that nearly all our German citizens
are loyal aud are backing America in
this war. He ventured the opinion
that 90 per cent of the people of any
community are loyal. The one per
cent of dIsloyal must be eliminated.
Before the. United States entered the
war, he said, difference of opinion was
tolerated. Now every citizen must
beeloyal and do his part to win the
war for freedom.
He said 1t is misuse of the term to
say that we sacrifice" when we buy
TODD substitutes. donate to the Red
Cross, the Y. NJ. 9. A., ETC., or buy