The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-25
PLEDGE SUPPORT ID WAR
 AIMS OF NATION Patriotism Is Keynote of Meeting of Birmingham
 Bar Association DUTIES OF LAWYER ASPATRIOTIC CITIZEN United States Attorney Bell Gives Views on Vicious Effects
 of Sowing Seeds of
 Dissension

present in enthusiastic numbers at the debut luncheon in the Civic association
 cafe yesterday, which is the first of a continuous weekly programme of meet ings. In resolutions adopted by the law
 yers, intense patriotism was manifested and all present pledged themselves to as-
 sist in making the Birmingham Bar as sociation a more effective arm in the
 service of the country during the war. l The keynote was sounded in the ad-
 dress of United States District Attor-
 ney Robert N. Bell, which was read by
 George P. Bondurant on account of the
 sudden illness of MT. Bell
 | The subject of Judge Bells address was, What Is the Duty of a Lawyer as a Patriotic Citizen at This Critical Time in National Affairs The address was a strong appeal to practical patri- otism and traitorous acts are defined. The address follows:
 An eloquent patriotic appeal was de- | livered by Leo Oberdorfer. MT. Oberdor- l fer launched into an ardent defense or l the President and strongly scored Mr 1 Roosevelt for taking up headquarters in l Washington for the purpose, he said. of 1 directing carping criticism at the admin ] istration.
 l String addresses were made also by l ex-Governor Emmet O'Neal and James | Weatherly. Spier Whitaker presided over the luncheon, which will be repeated every Thursday.
 | Tt is easy for us to answer this question, but not so easy to under stand the answer. Any school boy will 1 tell you that it is the duty of every person "to be patriotic" and this is the correct asnwer. But what is it to be patriotic? Patriotism is defined as 1 Love and devotion to ones country; the spirit that, originating in love of country, prompts to obedience to it's | laws, to the support and defense of | it's existence, rights and institutions 1 and to the promotion of it's welfare" | But we do not get the full meaning of the word patriotism until we know | the meaning of the opposite. or other word, traitor A traitor is "one who l for any cause betrays a trust, especial l ly one who violates his allegiance and | bctrays his country; one who commits treason" Treason is defined in the i United States constitution as only con- sisting fin levying war against the. United States or adhering to their en- emies, giving them aid and comfort. GIVING AID TO ENEMY l ''Now in order that we may under stand this word traitor more fully, let us see what is meant by giving aid.' Aid is a broad word, and is very clearly defined in Alabama by one of her ablest the lamented Chief Justice Me- Clellan He says in substance: The word aid carries with it an intent, but when the intent is shown, the act may I be insignificant. such as merely com 1 ing on the scene, watching to prevent | surprise. encouraging or giving confi- dence and counrenance to the perpe- trators
 Can any one claim to be a patriot; | can he deny that he is a traitor. if. without a single word or act. he should 1 Intentionally give confidence or coun- tenance to those who are levying war i against us?
 | We are an easy going free people, and accustomed to allowing great lati- tude in the ordinary conversation we | hear. We would feel much aggrieved | by criticism on account of merely lis- tening to the rabid frothing of trai- l torous vampire, but according to this argument, your silence, your willing l ness to hear and countenance such an action, is a traitorous act on your part.
 You are not that patriotic citizen l have defined. if you countenance any disobedience to the laws of your coun- i try, or fail to support its rights and l institutions. Before the war was be- gun and when the question was open %<x i. r1.t f.r -utrn l it was the right of each of us to ex- press our views on the expediency of l this or that course of conduct. and in l so doing we were not the subjects of criticism. But when war is on those in l authority occupy a different position. their acts are to be respected and obeyed as military orders at the camp public good and public welfare de-
 manding it for the safety of the union. GREATEST EMERGENCY
 "At the present time, however. the United States is confronted with what II conceive to be the greatest emer- | rency we have ever been confronted | with at any time in our history. There is now required of us the greatest amount of devotion to common cause, l the greatest amount of disposition to 1 further the ultimate success of Amer l icart arms that can be conceived, the 1 greatest amount or co-operdtion, the 1 greatest amount of efficiency, and as necessary consequence no man should
 be permitted, by deliberate act. or 1 even unthinkingly, to do that which ] will in any way detract from the ef-
 l forts which the United States Is put
 ting forth or serve to postpone for q
 single moment the early coming of the
 day when the success of our arms shall
 be fact and the righteousness of our
 cause shall have been demonstrated.
 But this is no time, in my judg-
 ment (this Is the thought that con
 trols me in this matter). Whatever
 may be the excuse whether it be 8
 I financial return or otherwise. for the