Show i i V i I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the 1 Republic for which it stands one Nation indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All a those hose Whom War Affects I s Judging from froin the conversation of certain opponents of and the tone of letters they write the fate of this great nation nations ie s no concern of theirs whatever 1 I They are arc jealous of the rights given them under unde such such a free nd liberal republic they are quick to exercise the privilege of free I speech speech they sometimes even rejoice that they have the power Dower of voting mooting thereby taking a part in the Ule running of the government JUT UT WHEN THERE IS TALK OP OF PREPAREDNESS THEY I SCOFF COFF AT THE IDEA AND DECLARE THAT THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN FIGHTING I If an enemy nation should decide that t the Panama ana a canal was waso for I I foo o rich a a. a plum for Uncle Sam these men Let Let the foreigners for for- I t eigners have ave it I am not concerned I I 1 I If after the great struggle in Europe natiO nations nations' i anxious ls for colonies colonies colonies col col- onies in the Ule Western hemisphere should conspire to break down our Monroe Monroe doctrine these pacifists wo would calmly let them take t-ke any i Territory they coveted sa saying ng that it was no concern of theirs f i They would not realize that they had any interest unless a ato to foreign reign power should decide t to strike at this country country's s 's ports Then when then an indemnity of enormous proportions proportion was demanded d to get rd of the invader so this country could ship through its own ports these hese iese people would first take an iI interest terest in war f r When the indemnity was taken faken from their meager earnings wien when every man was taxed to the utmost to bribe a a af f foreign reign power power- AS EVERY PEASANT IN IN FRANCE PRANCE 0 o get out of the country country country-AS WAS FORCED TO GIVE EVEN WHEN HE DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE A VB ENOUGH BEFORE TO LIVE ON AFTER THE GERMANS ANS CONQUERED FRANCE IN 1870 the 1870 the A American opponents of patriotism would realize too late that war affects every class r Th The Germans demanded the payment of mil million fi n francs til I IThe when then hen they took Paris a The did not pay this sum x i The people had to raise it Every bit of f it w was collected as asTRA asTRA EXTRA TRA TAXES I r a And there was no tax dodging either or any equalization I tion yon before before which a poor man mi might ht lay lay- his ll b burdens burdens ens and ask for readjustment I I The hc same thing might easily happen to Americans if they continue con con- I nue to live in their fools fool's paradise Jnue The man who votes for war should have to do the fighting is 1 t argument advanced by a certain class f i THAT IS EXACTLY THE SYSTEM UNDER WHICH THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOW WORKING THE VOLUNTEER IN EFFECT IS VOTING IN FAVOR OF WAR He assumes the risk and bears the har hardships ships on the battlefield I t tJ protect the thc nation while thousands who enjoy the full benefits of t at tat protection stay at home in comfort and safety I It is unjust I d Either the nation should decide once and for all aU that nothing can enn make it fight that fight that no war is justifiable just and that no victory is worth dorth its price price or or it should prepare to uphold its honor and protect its citizens in all parts of the globe jg I Either every able bodied man in the country should be forced to todo todo todo do do his part toward the defense of his rights and his neighbors' neighbors rights or 2 r none should be subjected to any danger in war I I There is no excuse for a democracy having a small HIRED I ARMY R If there is to be an any r fi fighting the people should do o it themselves 2 i Half alf way measures will not suffice The nation nahon that is only partially prepared prepared is worse than the nation that is not not prepared i il lit l all I I The latter knows it has no chance and does not carry ca carry ry a chip on Its shoulder It p peacefully submits to every demand made upon upon- it it bends the 1 knee tee at the slightest notice of royalty and turns the other other cheek then it is i slapped X The former underestimating its weakness tries to bluff its stay ay through the world and when its bluff is is s called it takes a whipping whipping whip whip- ping and sees its pockets rifled by its |