The excitement of 
our entry into the war for liberty in order that the world 
Soper THoucn?t on THE War! 
might be safe for democracy has passed away. The ex- 
aggerated patriotism of the man who yammered for war 
has surrendered to the officer giving commands to those 
who have come out for service. The people at home owe 
the soldiers at the front one thing above all else, that they 
shall guard their passions, smother their emotions and be 
on their guard least the intensity of their feelings obscure’ 
the cause of their nation’s struggle. The people at home 
should not endanger the lives of American soldiers in 
order to appease a longing cry for vengeance, They 
should remember that they are at home, and that the lists 
were open for them to take up the fight, but that they 
stayed at home, and were silent, when the call for men 
went around. We have some in training now, we know 
others dear to us, who will see service should the war 
last, and we sorrow at their loss, even though it be but 
for a day of their lives. To turn a man from the peace- 
ful pursuits of life is a fearful thing and to train a na- 
tion to kill is a thing that should not be prolonged. We 
regret that war has come to our country and we insist 
that it must not be needlessly extended in order to enforce 
striking victory by either side. This is in line with Presi- 
dent Wilson’s idea of peace without victory; in no other 
way can permanent peace be found. The world will be 
made safe for democracy, not through compulsion, but 
through adjustment, compromise and conciliation. 
= S&S 
WuHaArtkver A MAN’s Oprnions may be of the present 
war; whether he believes in defending America at home 
or abroad; whether he believes it 1s a war to save the 
Allies or a war to protect the interests of all humanity, 
he has one unquestionably duty at the present time. That 
duty is to forget himself and his personal ambitions and 
bend every effort to the support of his country, Right or 
wrong, his country deserves his support and can com- 
mand it. If he has a’ quarrel with any element, he had 
best bury it. If there is injustice done, the time to right 
the wrong is after the Stars and Stripes wave over a land 
that is secure from outward attack. No man has a right 
to count the cost either in dollars or in lives; he has no 
right to demand that another do his share first; his one 
concern should be his own duty. 
SSS 
Tur PANAMA CANAL, is giving the authorities con- 
siderable to think about. The question is being raised, 
can it be defended? The two forts on either end are 
clearly unable to defend the whole line of the canal. «It 
is readily seen that an enemy landing beyond the range of 
the guns and making an attack from the rear could place 
the whole canal out of commission. The United States 
only owns a strip of territory five miles either side of the 
canal. The difficulty of protecting the canal in such a 
short distance is apparent. 
Tre Censorsuip Bint against the press failed as it 
ought to have failed, but it will be demonstrated, however, 
that the press can be loyal and refrain from publishing 
news that will prove of aid to the enemy. The news- 
papers of America will rally loyally to the support of the 
government, 
It May MEAN A Sacrifice for many a man, woman 
or child to buy a Liberty bond, but the person who will 
count the cost of personal comfort or convenience against 
the need of his country is a slacker every bit as much as the 
man who would dodge shouldering a gun, The man who 
buys a Liberty bond is not giving his country anything ; 
he is investing in a gilt-edge security. If there is any 
comparison between the sacrifice of a man who goes for- 
ward to fight and the man who buys a bond at the cost of 
temporary economy it remains to be discovered. The 
man who enlists for service abroad risks everything— 
health, family ties, wealth, position and life itself. The 
loss of his life may mean the handicap to his children of 
an insufficient education and an unequal start in life. 
But the man at home risks nothing except a portion of 
his income. What he spends on Liberty bonds is merely 
accident insurance. And he gets a dollar back for every 
one he spends, with interest added. There should be no 
need for appeal for anybody to buy Liberty bonds, It is 
a duty which every man should feel as compelling as the 
payment of his debts. 
BSB 
It Has Bren CALLep to the attention of our govern- 
ment in a forceful way that it is manifestly unfair for the 
nation to permit the drafting of so many loyal native 
Americans and of so many naturalized Americans, while 
the unnaturalized American has been excused from. ser- 
vice. Some means will be devised to overcome the in- 
equality and injustice. How this is to be done remains 
for the future, but it will not be surprising if the foreign 
nations, among the Allies, will be permitted to have ac- 
cess to the records of their citizens resident in America 
and some form of a draft made here, It is manifestly 
unfair that the men who come here and refuse naturaliza- 
tion should be excused from the responsibilities of mili- 
tary service for some country in this hour of need, either 
under the flag of his native land or his adopted country, 
America. 
ea 
Many Criticisms Have Breen appearing in partisan 
papers of the delays that have been incident to the pre- 
paredness movement, but such criticisms are unfair at this 
time of. warfare and stress. The administration is alive 
to the responsibilities of the situation and is undoubtedly 
taking progress faster than we now think, It must be 
remembered that the administration will have made moves 
that will not be known to the press for hours if not for 
days after.they are.made. The government may be de- 
pended upon to make things move. 
BES 
Tur Governor oF tHE State had no authority to 
close the saloons and hotels of Massachusetts on Conscrip- 
tion Day, but he made a public appeal and as a result the 
organized leaders of the industry issued a bulletin that 
was widely obeyed. The leaders were shrewd enough to 
appreciate the test of the situation. 
SS BS 
Tue Leak 1x tHe News from America that fore- 
warned the Germans, shows how effective has been the 
German spy system in keeping in touch with events in 
America. America is awakening to the fact that there 
is a great war on hand, 
