The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-10
For the Good of
 the Community

h ERE is paragraph taken from a clr- K cular recently distributed in Wash ington by the agents of the American An archist Federated Commune Soviets:
 ''The press, the church and govern ment and constitution can go to hell. Down with all constitutions, governments, capitalization, churches and synagogues. Long live anarchy"
 The men who wrote this are the men who are trying to destroy the government of the United States. They are preaching anarchy, yet when caught by federal agents seek the protection of the very laws they denounce.
 The Birmingham district is not free of this tribe. They are not so loud-m0thed here as in other sections where conditions are more favorable for their activities.
 The population of the Birmingham dis trict is largely of the pure American type. Their forefathers for generations were Americans; fought for the independence of America and the liberty of it's people. They have not been saturated with the virus of anarchy that has been eating / away the life of many of the European countries for the last quarter century.
 Feeling secure in the character of the population of their own section they have given little thought to the Berkmans, the Goldmans and others of their ilk that. have spread discontent and disorder in other parts of the country.
 During the war there were here and there evidences of anarchy, of disloyalty and treason in the Birmingham district. Nothing but the strong arm of govern ment agencies, and quasi-government agencies, kept them down. Prompt ac- tion at the first evidences of activity on the part of this element put a quietus to them.
 Since the signing of the armistice and the dissolution of auxiliary agencies which the government during the war, this bunch of bolshevists, anarchists, reds or whatever name they see fit to call them selves, have grown bolder They are preaching, quietly, it is tyue, but none the less effectively, their nefarious doctrines. They will become more and more active unless curbed by the strong arm of tlSn government.
 It is the duty of every citizen who loves his country and wants peace and order, who wants the institutions Of his country preserved and the government main tained in the interest of all the people, to take hand in public affairs. The ballot is the most effective way of backing up the government.
 Alabamians have been lax in the per- formance of their duty in this respect. Since the adoption of the present constitu- tion in 1901, which removed what was considered the greatest menace then con- fronting the southern people, Alabama men have taken little interest in elections Less than 50 per cent of the white men have voted in general elections
 This is a reflection on the intelligence and patriotism of the people. It gives the impression abroad that Alabamians are not interested in their state or their na- tion.
 In 1890 and 1892, with population of less than 100000 Jefferson county cast over 15, 900 votes in state and national elections. In 1918, with population of 100000, or more, only about 13 900 votes were cast in a state election. Two candi- dates for congress combined received only about 5000 votes.
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