The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1918-07-12
EIihu Root Takes Lead.

"BOhiLdllVll l'iu I'bt ll''i''i 'h'l'i'''''i''
on the necessity OF non-partiSan sup
port of the Government in its eff
forts for the aggressive prosecution OF
the war and the consequent impor-
lance Of this years Congressional cleo
lions. The matter was then taken up
by the National Executive Committee
Of the League and the campaign dccid-
ed upon at meeting attended by Al
ton b. Parker, who IS Honorary Vice
President Of the Security League !;
James w. Gerard, former United
States Ambassador to Germany, one of
the Leagues Vice Presidents; S. Stan
wood Menken, President Of the
League; Lawrence T. Abbott of the
Outlook, and other prominent men.
The League for National Unity and
other great national organizations
have already indOrsed the movement.
The leading newspapers of the country
are also expressing their approval.
The following are a few Of the ia
r0rable editorial comments which are
appearing in all parts of the country;
Editorial Approval.
WiIliamsport (Pa.) Sun: "The Ma.
tienal Security Leagues effort will
have the hearty support Of all patri-
otic voters"
Springfield (Mass) Union: "This
idea is sound and emncntly worthy Of
serious attention"
DeS MOines Qa.) Tribune: Here in
Iowa we may well emuInte this exam
pie which will lead TO victory for
Americanism regardless of party desig-
nation"
Saginaw (Nfich) News: "This cam
paign will have q strong and growing
following all over the country"
Helena (Nfont.) Independent: "Ameri-
leans upon whom party lines rest light
ly and many who are strong for their
party will find reasons for cOmmenda-
ton Of the plan of the National Sc
curity League"
$4,000 Letters.
The Leagues campaign will be con-
Quoted by a committee. headed by
Charles d. Orth, prominent New
York commission merchant. This com
mittee, as a preliminary step. has laid
the matter before $4,000 leading citi-
zens in all parts of the country and Of
all political beliefs In the following let.
ter:
THE conduct of the war and, in
fact, the very future of America are
dependent not only upon the election
of a War Congress that will enact nee
essary laws, but upon the presence in
the National Legislature of men Of
vision, ability and broad experience,
who are the best qualified OF our Citi.
zenship to correctly solve the great in
ternal and international questions
which will come before the next Con-
gresS.
"Grave Duty"
1.-THE National Security League, pur.
suant TO unanimous action of it's EI-
ecutive Committee. has taken upon it.
calf the grave duty of impressing
these matters upon you and asking you
to pledge your service for prompt ac-
ton to prevent disaster which might
follow the election of incompetent or
diSloyal men to Congress. This can
be prevented through definite and con-
certed action on the part of loyal citi-
zens, who are in the vast ma iorjty,
Neglect and Indifference may prove fa-
tal
THE remedy is for every one to as
sumo the personal obligation of speak
ing with or writing without delay TO
political leaders, newspaper men and
others who form public opinion In
their Congressional Districts. Make
them realize sharply that the need of
the nation Is the election of men of ab-
solute and unconditional loyalty who
are determined to prosecute the war
to victory and who possess the
strength OF character and unquestion-
81 ability to be of real service to the
country in this crisis. The problems
before the nation are such as to try
tie very souls of the best men that we
can eject.
Personal Responsibility.
Rhe people of your district will m
dodbtedly take the right stand if awak-
ened to the political situation in time
to secure the highest type of candi-
dates to vote for in the primaries. Ey-
cry citizen can directly influence re-
suits to that end, and we earnestly
hope that you will recognize the re.
Eponsibility of so doing"