Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1918 — WHEN RUSSIA FAILS [ARTICLE]

WHEN RUSSIA FAILS

By George E. Bowen

Don’t Despair! Every cause has a weak member. Every great faith some irresponsible doubt. Every strong law some undisciplined denial. So the world goes on. Finding success through failure. How many times have you failed? Not all of you, part of you. Yet you couldn’t stop. Neither can the world at war. Russia is a reminder. Where is our personal organization weak? . „ f How much does ignorance hold us back? Are you surrendering confidence to suspicion. Is selfishness blinding us to our whole human duty? Ary; we bedeviled with "cold feet” and a “hot head?” We say: “Poor Russia, or rotten Russia,” according to our sympathy or our prejudice. / “We know how Russia feels, because we’ve known discord and disorder in our own hearts —before the steady mind tqok firm control. Russia is the world’s big example in unfitness. Don’t blame Russia, but avoid Russia’s misfortune. & Let’s stildy Russia and Stop whatever in us is Russian disorder. Russia is translating suffering Into strength, ignorance into wisdom, vanity into sanity. Probably doing the best she can; .blind and broken as she is. It is easy to say: “Take out a czar and put in a man of the people.” It is just aS easy to say: “Take out carbuncle of corruption and put in the contentment of perfect health.” It is an instant theory; an endless and distressing operation. . So the world waits and struggles, cursing or praying over the delay and the disgrace. Russia seems to have been inevitable —a chapter of experience the allied world had to read.

of the Vigilante*

No use to cry over Russia’s spilled milk. But very important to prevent a similar catastrophe in out own lives. Russia’s deficit changes the world balance. -What is our shortage? Russia’s wasn’t 100 per cent She’s trying mighty hard to get out of the 50-50 class. Realizing the ruinous futility of serving a dozen masters, Russia is trying to become master of herself. Can we say as much? —You and I? What is our little pet personal despotism? Have we cast it out, in the name of efficiency and perfect fitness for the world service calling us? Russia is the,sore toe of the allied cause, Makes the whole movement of humanity stumble. Has our personal patriotism a sore toe—dr a broken arm, or a lost voice? Is our -sympathy bandaged over one eye? Is our loyalty punctured? Is our first duty to humanity a victim of prejudice, procrastination or perversity? Russia is an awful warning! The greatest thing in the world today is to be right and ready! That’s the least we owe to the Biggest Cause. Be fit to go forward with the true , faith. Every man must see his own heart. Every man must put his mind in order to square with the great fact: a kaiserless worlds Russia has shown us the way, by falling down in it. Today is the day our own soul must decide.! . Not half way. Not roundabout. Not by compromise or contradiction. Not by secret treaties with our personal despot. Not by any style of selfcamouflage. Today—We must go the whole way 1 Give up all to win all! Call it the Day of Consecration—and remember Russia!