Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-08-29
LIVE LIKE MISER
WORK LIKE HORSE.
That Is What Every American
Must Do in Order That War
Shall Be Won.
DEMOCRACY Being TESTED
Victory over Teuton psspotIsm a Mat
ter OF Money and Each Patriot
Will Deny Himself All but Ne
cessities That II May Be
Achieved.
BY HERBERT QUICK.

oy HEHoGHi 3OlSN.
II has become common saying that
democracy is inefficient. We have
often read that II takes a despotism
to do things.
The Germans believed that they
could win this war and conquer the
world for two reasons; first. because.
In spite Of some things which look
democratic. the German empire Is q
dsspousm; and, second. because II is
the nrst despotism In the history OF
the world which has reached a very
high point In general physical and
mental development. They and many
people in the democratic countries be-
Ieved that they could win against the
democracies Of the world.
Democracy. they said, would be the
anvil despotlsm the hammer.
Democracy would be the whale;
despotism would be the swordfsh.
Democracy would be the target;
despotism the gun.
Democracy would be the deer;
despotism the wolf.
ing animal; despotism the flesh eater
with fangs and claws.
Surprises for oespotism.
The splendid resistance OF Belgium
and France. the magnificent rallying of
Great Britain TO the trumpet call. and
the intrepid decision OF Italy TO join
In resistance to the German attack,
were tho greatest surprises which up
to that time had ever been encounter
ed by despot. Before the war had
been going on for six months some of
the wisest OF the cold and cruel minds
of Germany began TO wonder whether
| after all the denocracies OF the world
were not too strong TO be overcome.
And then came the biggest surprise
OF the war. The greatest democracy
| OF the world-the United States-slow-
ly began 10 realize that the whole
cause OF freedom for the common man,
not only In Europe and In Asia. but
| here In America, was at stake in this
war. Slowly the idea began to pene-
trate the American mind that the
Vaccinations of Germany constitute u
greater peril 10 this country than did
the issue fought out In the American
revolution or the decisive strife OF our
own war between the states.
America saw at last that II Germany
wins this war democracy will have fail
ed not only the democracy of Euro
pean countries. but the democracy OF
the world. There would be nothing
left for us through all the future but
losing fight against the most cruel
and efficient despotism OF all time.
And finally, in spite Of our own
peaceful history, in spite OF our own
love OF peace, in spite OF German lies
and German propaganda. and the
damnable plots OF German spies. the
United States acted.
The nation reached slowly for the
sword, drew II, and plunged with all
her mighty power into this dreadful
fray.
And so, on some OF the bloodiest bat
tlefields that ever desolnted the soil Of
any country. our splendid American
soldiers are bearing the Stars and
Stripes TO victory.
DEMOCRACY is PROVING ITSELF
EFFICIENT.
They carry the Stars and Stripes 10
victory alongside the nags OF Great
Britain, France. Italy and a score OF
other nations. because they know that
they are fighting the old battle OF right
against wrong, OF democracy against
despotlsm. and that II they lose, the
whole history OF the United States be-
comes at once es II II never had been.
Democracy 10 Proving Efficient.
That is the thing which must strike
terror TO the hearts OF the prisoners,
violators and baby killers OF Berlin.
We have met and vanquished the
submarine. We are now llacing In
the field In Europe our second million
of men, and back OF that second mil
lion there is a third million, a fourth
million, fifth million and still other
millions of men.
We have shown ourselves efficient in
! production. We have more than made
good our promise 10 send food TO our
allies. We have organized our indus
tries for war.
| We have firmly resolved that having
| drawn the sword we will throw away
the scabbard and never sheath that
sword except In victory.
I