Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-06-14
With Other Editors
If We Had Stayed Out.

Let imagine ourselves still neutral, still at
shrugged our shoulders and said, All, well we are
making money out Of this and afford to swallow
our indignation. Let US suppose that the had
gone on as it has gone on but with America standing
aside. profting in that it could by the cir
cumstances Of without raising its fist to put an
end it, 1t is hard to imagine this yet only
little more twelve months ago there were many
Americans who strongly opposed to taking
any part in the great conflict If they had had their
way what we trying to imagine now would have
been sordid reality. Assuming that their influence
had been strong enough to keep out OF war, what
would have been our position today, how would our
neutrality have affected the contest and what would
we have gained or lost by pace?
without exaggerating our services in the least, it
is conceivable that by this time the allies would have
been in deadly peril but for help Admitting that
in actual fighting power have yet contributed but
little still it hardly be denied that what have
has been of Importance to the opposition to
Germany We have helped materially in reducing
the effectiveness of the submarine warfare both
by action against it and by replacing tonnage.
We have shipped enormous quantities of food and
other supplies to Britain, France and Italy that we
could not have in such quantities without the
strictions upon consumption that only
state of would have justified. We have advanced
billions of dollars associates that neutrals
could not have granted. But above ALL we have
given them new spirit, a new hope, new purpose,
a ideal. They know now that are behind
them to the last man and the last dollar for
end but liberty and Righteousness. They know now
that all our powers are being assembled and rushed
to their aid They know now that victory, however
long delayed is sure. If our help in all these
things and in all these ways had been denied would
they be fighting with the strength the
same spirit and the same determination they are
showing? We do not believe our present partners
could have beaten by this time if ever without
u.s. but surely when we view the situation as it is,
it is no claim that but us their position
would be far serious than it is.
And how would we have felt now if the war had
gone to a far worse than its present despera-
ton without participation? Would not the self
accusing cry Of Cain be heard in every American
heart? Would be hiding our heads in shame
and trembling with fear at the menace that would
be far greater than it is? Would we? Or would we
be blinded to the blood and tears and sit contem-
plating money bags with the SNUG compIacency
of satisfied avarice? Which? No doubt many of us
would feel the one way, and many the other, but
either we would be contemplate. America would
have been prostttuted The principles that have
made America what she is would have been tramp1ed
beneath our feet and when the ended with the
nations PROSTATE, bleeding, exhausted, we would
stand unscarred in body, towering mighty above
material wealth, but without virtue, without soul
We would stand before the world democracy worse
than Prussiansm Prussianism at least has
courage country without honor, hated by all man
kind and despised by ourselves
Surely we have reason, much reason to be
thankful that flag is unsained, that have not
betrayed fathers that have been true to our
selves. Surely we have to be thankful that
face the world unashamed and unafraid.-St
Louis Globe Democrat.