Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-07-04
BIG CAMPAIGN
TO ELECT LOYAL
WAR CONGRESS
National Security League An
nounces Nationwide Non
Partisan Participation in
Fall Elections.

Congress which win stand militantly
behind the carrying Of the war to
decisive victory.
The entire force Of the Leagues 2S1
branches and its membership Of over
100, 900 patriotic American citizens Will
be thrown into this campaign. The
creation OF support u The movement
outside the League Will also be I'M
dertaken by means of an active propa-
ganda among the leading citizens Of
every state In the Union, irrespective
OF party.
EIlhu Root Takes Lead.
Elihu Root, who Is Honorary Presi-
dent of the National Security League,
at the recent Annual Meeting Of the
organization laid particular emphasis
on the necessity of non-partisan sup
port of the Government In Its eff
forts for the aggressive prosecution of
the war and the consequent impor-
lance Of this years Congressional cleo
tons. The matter was then taken up
by the National Executive Committee
of the League and the campaign decid-
ed upon at meeting attended by Al
ton B. Parker, who is Honorary Vice
President of the Security League :
James W.. Gerard. former United
States Ambassador to Germany, one Of
the Leagues Vice Presidents; 8. STAN
wood Menken, President Of the
League; Lawrence F. Abbott OF the
Outlook, and other prominent men.
The League for National Unity and
other great national organizations
have already Endorsed the movement.
The leading newspapers Of the country
are also expressing their approval.
The following are a few Of the IA
vorabls editorial comments which are
appearing In all parts Of the country:
Editorial Approval.
WiIiamsport (Pa.) Sun: "The Ma
tiona1 Security Leagues effort will
have the hearty support of all patri.
otto voters"
Springfield (Mass.) Union: 'oThis
idea is sound and eminently worthy OF
serious attention"
Des Moines Ua.) Tribune: Here in
Iowa we may we'll emulate this exam
Americanism regardless Of party desig
nation"
Saginaw (Mich.) News: ''This cam
patgn will have q strong and growing
following al over the country"
Helena (Mont.) independents: "Ameri
leans upon whom party lines rest light
~ and many who are strong for theil
party viii and reasons for commenda
ton Of the plan Of the National Sc
curity League"
$4,000 Letters.
The Leagues campaign will be con
Quoted by q committee headed By
Charles D. Ortiz, d prominent New
York commission merchant. This com
mittee, az a preliminary step, has LAID
the matter before $4,000 leading eiti
xens in all parts of the country and o.
all political beliefs In the following let
ter:
"The conduct of the war and, II
fact, the very future Of America arr
dependent not only upon the election
Of War Congress that will enact nee
essary laws, but upon the presence IL
the National Legislature of men o.
vision, ability and broad experience
who are the best qualified of our citi
Eenship to correctly solve the great in
ternal and international question:
which will come before the next Con
gress.
"orave Duty"
1.-THE National Security League, pur
suant to unanimous action of its Elk
ecutive Committee, has taken upon It
self the grave duty Of impressine
these matters upon you and asking 20,
to pledge your service for prompt &C
ton to prevent disaster which Nigh
follow the election Of incompetent o.
disloyL men to Congress. This cal
be prevented through definite and con
eertsd action On the part of loyal citi
EenA who are in the vast majority
Neglect and Indifference may prove IA
tai
@Ths remedy Is Tor every one to as
sumo the personal obligation of speak
ing with or writing without delay tt
political leaders, Newspaper men ant
others who form public opinion IL
their Congressional Districts. Max.
them realize sharply that the need o,
the nation is the election Of men of alb
solute and unconditional loyalty who
are determined to prosecute the wal
to victory and who possess ths
strength Of character and unquestion
ed ability to be Of real service to the
country In this crisis. The problems
before the nation are such as to try
the very souls Of the best men that We
can elect.
Personal Responsibility.
"The people Of your district will IN
doubtedly take the right stand Ii awak
ened to the political situation In time
to secure the highest type of candi
dates to vote for In the primaries. Ev.
cry citizen can directly influence re
suits to that end, and We earnestly
hope that you will recognize the re.
sponsibility OF SO doing"