The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-23
AN ISSUE OF THE HOUR.

| AIuscatine Journal: The issue in
I the approaching city election to be
b cid in Muscatine on the first Mon.
day in March IS Americanism. The
socialist party in America Is on rec
ord as being opposed-not to war as
we all are-but to American success
| In the struggle-for the maintenance
| Of democracy, Of freedom, of decency
OF the sacredness of political indie
pendence and the hope for Industrial
| justice, forced upon the democratic
nations OF the world by the over
whel1ntng ambition, the ruthless
i craftsmanship and the beastly cruel
! ty Of Fohsn1oileTn autocracy. 1t has
sold itself outright to the arch en-
emies OF freedom and liberty. By
virtue of its hostility to the war pur-
poses of America and the allied ma
lions who are arraigned against this
menace to the world democracy and
the principle of right the organiza-
ton has become the tool of the kaiser.
The action of the ST Louis conven-
ton of the socialist party forced from
it's ranks it's most sincere champions
of the cause OF Justice. Such Amerl-
cans as Alan Benson, Charles Ed
ward Russell, A NJ. Stmons, Clarence
barrow and countless others found
that they could no longer subscribe
to the unpatriotic policies OF the
organization. Their published state
ments condemned the socialist party
in the eyes of great host OF Amer
leans The sincerity of the men who
were driven from the party has never
been questioned. Their DETECTION
aw alsened the masses to an a9preciar
tton Of the perfidy of the socialist
del, n IN Ia
proved false to the cause OF democ-
racy by withdrawing from the battle
arena so the American socialist party
has turned its back to the greatest
cause for which civilization has ever
fought. Today the socialist party in
America stands confessed TO treason
10 the cause OF world freedom. In its
-endeavor to capture the PROG erman
vote In America it has truclSled to the
cause of Prussianis1n. 1t has repu-
dated world socialism. The position
which the organization holds is typi
cal It has ever been ready to sell
out for temporary gain. 1t knows no
reason other than that Of protest
against things as they are. This at
titude has forced the party In America
into the camp of the enemy.
1t is widely claimed that the So
CidilblS cAUc~l W Garry Lie I6TH6u
vote of Muscatine. The Journal does
not share in this conviction. For the
most part those of Teutonic origin in
Muscatine have met the test of the
hour in the true spirit of America. To
charge that they will prove traitors
to the cause when they are shielded
by the secrecy OF the election booth
Is an unjust imputation. 1t Is a chal-
lenge which the loyal Gernan-Amer-
leans Of the city cannot allow 10 pass
unheeded. Their answer we believe
will be given with eloquence when
the ballots are counted on election
night.
Muscatine has sent several hun
dred of her young men to the colors.
Not a few of these have left so call
ed German" homes. To hint that
those for whom they are fighting will
resort to political ''sniping' is a ser
ious allegation. The spirit which
impelled these young men of Teuton-
ic stock to take UP the sword against
kaiserism pervades the home from
which they departed It permeates
the atmosphere Of the circle in which
they moved, else they would not have
been impelled to espouse the cause.
The coming election will serve as
a test Of community patriotism There
will be no coercion nor intimidation
They viii be protected by the secret
ballot. That they will hide behind
this most democratic cloak to knife
The cause of liberty is an unfair Inn
Dutation. It would be sacrilege of
the deepest dye. They would be gull