Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1918-08-29
Why We Fight
Because Germany Menaoes the
Freedom oithe World and Russia
Can no Longer Resist
nv CLARENCE L. SPEED

because Ii is war Tor freeooih hioie
truly than ever before was war
fought for the liberty of man. In times
mast. II is true, men have fought for
freedom from oppressors. Sometimes
they have won and sometimes they
have lost. But always there has been
a place In this big world where those
who had lost In the struggle at home
might GO end find country where
they might enjoy the liberty they
loved.
Now all Is different. If the forces
which are fighting for freedom 10 TINS
war are defeated, there will be no
place in the whole world to which they
may go TO find refuge from Prus-
sian domination. Every land under
the sun will be directly or indirectly
under control of the victor; and II
the victor is autocracy, freedom per-
ishes.
The land where freedom is most Inn
minently menaced by the legions OF
Prussian autocracy, at this momeha,
Is the land where unwonted freedom
temporarily has run riot and has lost
the mower to fight for itself-Russia.
We are fighting for the freedom OF
Russia. and must continue to fight for
II until Russia learns what freedom
means, and is again able to fight. Ii
we do not. freedom will die In Russia;
prussian autocracy will rule and ex-
ploit the country for its own benent;
and the very forces which overthrow
the car will be turned against the
freedom not only of themselves, but OF
other lands.
In years gone by, when the forces
OF revolution were showing themselves
here and there In Russia, they had the
sympathy of America in spite OF the
methods of terrorism of which we
did not approve When the car and
the kaiser, leaders of autocracy, were
locked In a death grapple, Russia still
had our sympathy, because she was
fighting on the side of those who were
seeking to safeguard the world from
Prussian militarism.
When the car was deposed over
night American feelings were mixed.
There was Joy at the downfall OF an
old. and sometimes cruel autocracy,
but there was fear that Russia would
become too disorganized to fight FUR
Their, coupled with the thought that per-
haps the revolution had come too Soon
to be effective.
Then followed the brief regime OF
Kerensky, when 1t began to look as
though freedom in Russia might be an
Organized freedom, prepared to light
for its rights, and all America hailed
the Russian revolution as blessing
II had become absolutely correct TO
say that the war was q war Of democ-
racy against autocracy. No pro-Ger-
man could longer point to the car
whenever an argument arose.
Finally came the bolsheviki revolu'
ton, In which Kerensky was over
thrown. Russian industry and Rus.
sian society were disorganized, and
Russian armies ceased to fight. The
kaiser's armies pressed on unopposed
took what they desired in spite OF q
signed peace, and Russia appeared to
be about to pass completely under con
troll of Germany. America stood
aghast at the prank freedom hsc
played, and American opinion turned
largely against Russia, but thinking
men refused to give up hope. Rus
sia was and still is incapable OF offer
ing resistance, but Russia is not re
signed to autocracy. II devolves upor
others to fight for the freedom Rus
sia must have.
The experience Of other nations hal
been that men who loved freedom
were willing to fight for II. and to di'
for IL IL necessary. The Russian at
tltude Of nonresistance was something
new in the world, and Is hard to un
derstand. The bolshevfki represent
ed the extreme idea of liberty. IN
them freedom meant not the right o.
the majority to choose their form O
government, but the right OF the indi
yhiual 10 be free from all forms o.
governmental restraint. Tney wOuI'
tear down the old order completely
at one stroke, and set up the mil
lenium. They would divide the land
the factories and the tools among TIN
workers, and have no masters hence
forth.
Even In Russia, however, there wer'
dissenters. Some took up arms; ant
the bolshevih, who fought the Ger
mans not at all, fought their brother
most ferociously. The result was an
archy. lawlessness, massacre. the dis
organization of the railways and thu
failure of the food supply. The mil
lenium refused to come at the mer'
decree of the bolsheviki. It was show
that there must be organization AMI
government Of some sort.
Russia will not longer fight side b!
side with her former allies. So In
siduous has been the German propa
ganda that, In many instances, Russian
hatred of the allies seems to be deep
or than hatred Of Germany.
Therefore the United States ce1no
render direct aid TO the struggling peo
pie of Russia. She cannot send then
g. the ha "a