The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-08-15
stand of the miners on support of the
government in its war program reads:
LOyal to a Man.

Loyal to Man.
Our position in the war should be
one Of answering loyalty and devo-
ton to the aims and purposes of our
country. There must be no halfway
allegiance on the part of the coal min
ers in giving the best that is in them
for the preservation of the ideals and
principles of democratic people-for
the preservation of those concepts of
life and labor upon which our great
movement is founded.
$50 much depends upon coal in
these trying times. To emphasize the
fact that without an uninterrupted
coal supply, without the maximum eff
fort on our part, the efforts Of those
battling in the trenches will be of no
avail. Our ships cannot sail, our rail
roads cannot operate, our munltlon
plants must close down, if the coal
miner fails to play his part.
"Shall we be found wanting in the
present emergency? Shall we ignore
the call of our homeland, Of liberty
loving France, of outraged Belgium,
Of heroic Britain and Italy, of starving
Rumania and Serbia? There can be
but one answer by free men, and let
US in this convention firmly resolve
that every atom of energy we can con-
tribute to the winning of the war will
be given gladly, freely, and in the
same loyal spirit as those who go out
to give their lives, if need be, for the
peace, freedom and security of the
civilized world.
Must Crush Kaiserism.
"Let there be no mistake about this
| war and it's relation to the great hu-
manitarian movement in which we are
engaged. 1t must be evident to every
close observer that the triumph Of
the central powers means the menace
of militarism throughout the ages
means world in turmoil and agony
for centuries to come. What chance
would labor have against the edicts
and pronunciamentos of military au-
tocracy What chance for the forces
of evolution against this fearsome,
frightful, murderous machine?
"a philosophy based upon the right
of the few to rule and conquer should
| find no place in the minds Of liberty
| loving men. 1t was to escape the ty-
ranny Of this military madness that
| millions of Germans emigrated to our
fair land.
at is matter of particular pride
that approximately $4,000 members
of our organization have enlisted in
the military forces of our nation. Our
hearts go with them across the sea,
and we know that these heroes Of
ours, who have faced the peris of the
mines year in and year out, risking
Iivoc n ha IF
| will not be found wanting when they
face the foreign foe.
While we are earnestly DESTROYS of
peace, we recognize that it is unat-
tainable as long as the German en-
peror and his cohorts seek to dominate
and force upon the world the creed
that might makes right and that the
power Of the sword shall decide all
issues that may arise between the ma
tions Of the world
"From the beginning of the war we
have pledged our loyal and enthusiast
tic support to our government. The
international executive board has ex-
onerated from the payment of all dues
all members who enlist in the service
of the country. We have big part
to play in this war. Let US ever re-
member that the coal miner is as nee
essary as the soldier in this great bat
tie for universal liberalism. To quote
the language Of President Wilson,
which is very apropos:
"To the miner, let me say that he
stands where the farmer does; the
work of the world waits on him. If
he Stacks or fails, armies and states
men are helpless. He also is enlisted
in the great service army
"Let US, in this convention, go on
record in no uncertain terms, strong
ly pledging ourselves and our great
organization to the high purposes OF
our nation"
While drilling deem well ON the