South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-17
Other Editors Than Ours
CONFUSING MEANS AND ENDS
indianapolis TimcsD

street cor advertisement put out by one of our poll
tcal parties emphasizes the necessity of standing be-
hind suspects phrase
fashion to escape the psychological effect Of sugges
tioI that it might be patriotic duty this time
regardless CT parties TO stand by the president This
latter to the partisan leaders Of the political
sition, a dangerous heresy, yet review of
history since 1914 and reflection future
possibilities may convince US that standing behind
the war is safe yardstck for the measurement
Of American responsibilities right this time Is it
possible De standing
ing behind the president?
Standing behind the is important part of a
patriots privilege and duty, but it does not circum
scribe patriots privilege and duty. Ii takes cog
nizanee Of purposes and aims and invites the con
fusing of and ends IL is difficult discover
person who admits there is virtue in You find
and without ehort-thOusands who so firmly believe
in certain principles that they willing undergo
the evils of defend the principles such
desirable conditions as. opinion, prevail
the principles are rightly applied to society and
government The things tight for only JUS
thcation for and reconciliation to the
If standing by the spells the full responsibility
of citizen when victory is this responsibility
has been But in this struggle military victory.
while essential to them does attain the aims which
inspire us
The vital thing after all is the end for which we
fight War is but the instrumentality the
whereby strive for ends and if il had been posi-
bic attain these ends through any other instrument
tally than there would have been no war. No
appeal therefore to the people of the United States
is complete if it does not determined loyalty
our aims and our peace program. Indeed. it is
possible win the and lose all for which
was IOugnt-dnd THIS possibility Is the thing which
every American should have close to his heart to the
end that he may do his utmost TO prevent it.
We approaching election and il can be
otherwise than that the results of his election will
be reflected in the degree of confidence the world
places in those prOnouncements of the president
the United States dealing with war and peace
aims The world is waiting 10 count the ballots and
il is unacceptable that the world judge solidar
ity and unity opinions determination on the
results Of this election.
This the time since we entered the war that
the rank and file has had opportunity. in some
measure indicate voting. attitude toward
the prosecution OF the and the diplomacy under
the present administration. Germany from first
insisted that this Wilson's war" that the
American people sOlidy behind the war pro-
gram; that the president in his utterances
aims not voicng the composite thought of sle
country
In friendly allied nations the masses have been
electrified and inspired by Prest
Of determination strive something vastly
higher and nober than anything history.
Hoping that it true they have been waiting and
watching for evidence confirm that hope great
nation speaking through its approved leader
If party known be in opposition
Prest Wilson is voted INTO power.
mics will in the action a reputation Of
both the and the aims. VIII any sane
person submit that such a result Will have
other than the effect offering hope and
soace and comfort TO our enemies?
W arrived a that crisis where standing
10y the war demands that leave the world in no
uncertainty as 10 where stand in relation TO the
the people only when his party defeated the polls
the place where standing by the war
means that must do utmost 10 show plainly
the president spoke for and with approval?
there any way convnCingly speak this % a
doubling world other than 10y registering approval
I'm election held since declared And
how is that approval to be expressed If in our
voting into power consrenen of the presidents ary