Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-20
REPUBLICANS ATTEMPT TO MOBILIZE
FORCES OF Discomfort.

~ ii lol III VI po ltiN stl
tack which is we'll defined and char
actcristic. The method adopted
consists chiefly in an attempt TO
mobilize the forces of discomfort. to
Stifren partisan lines, and to eXag-
gcratc. beyond all reason, what the
enemies of the President arc pleased
TO describe as 1.-The mistakes of the
Administration"
This method of campaigning
brings a speedy response from the
thoughtless, but its weakness con-
sists in its essential unfairncss and
in the excuses of denunciation to
which it gives rise. Those who en-
ploy tbs system become its first vic
Tins. They lose their sense of per-
Spective and indulge in violent and
unpatriotic attacks upon those who,
in very difficult period, are man
aging the affairs Of our country.
Much Of the Republican oratory
is as amazing TO the listncr as it is
discreditablc to those who make
use of it.
do not know how others may
feel about it, but as for myself, | am
proud to be an American citizen,
am proud of the Army. | am proud
of our great Navy. | am proud Of
The heroism of American men and
women. am proud of the role that
America has played in the affairs of
the world. am proud of the work
which America is doing for the
world. am proud Of the power OF
nv country and of the manner in
which that power has been used;
and | am proud of the leadership of
President Wilson.
A great deal is being said in par
tisan quarters to the effect that the
Administrator is responsible for
Americas So-called unpreparedness
for war. Measured by the stand
ards of great military nations, AM
erica was not adequately prepared
for war, In that sense, a democrat
Cy is not likely to be prepared for
war. A pcace-loving people, dcsir-
ing only relations Of fricndliness
with other nations and moved by
aspirations higher than those Of
conquest, is moi apt to turn it's atten-
ton to the creation of great mill
fairy establishments.
America was prepared for peace
and for all the processes OF peace,
and the thoughts Of America were
turned away from the thoughts of
war and exploitation. But let it
not be forgotten that modern war Is
not fought by ornaments alone. II
is measuring Of the strength of
peoples.
The struggle is economic and
touches every aspect OF the nation
al life. The banks, the factories,
the mills, the warehouses, and the
great farms Of America, were essen
tial 10 American success in this war.
When our army went abroad, it was
supported by the financial power
and the industry Of America, by
the labor in the factory and the
labor upon the farm, When the
real test came no country was
ever better prepared for it than
America. America was strong be-
cause ii had adequately prepared
for test Of lis strength.
When the war began it was the
solemn judgment of the military
experts Of the German Empire that
we would not be able to create an
army inside of two years. They
said that even if we-wcre able to
secure the men, we had no officers
to train them. They said that even
If We were able to create an army,
we would not be able TO supply
il with arms and ammunition. They
said that we could not transport
the army TO France because we
had no ships and could secure none.
They said that even if we OBJ
tanned the ships, the U-boats would
destroy them. They said that even
if we transported an army to
France, it would be few in num-
bcrs and that we would be unable
to support it there with food and
clothes and arms and ammunition,
And they said that even if some of
our soldiers reached the firing line,
the trained troops of Germany
would destroy them.
And yet we raised an army Of
four million men and we trans
ported more than three million sol
dicrs across three thousand miles
of sea, where, well-oflicered,> well
equipped, and indomitable in spirit,
they turned the tide of battle, won
imperishable glory and triumphed
in the greatest war that the world
has ever known. This surprising
achievement is the final and over
whelming answer to those who
complain of Americas so-called
"unpreparedness for war"
The gentlemen who are now lead
ing the Republican party, CRITICS
ing the President of The United