Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1918 — DESERVES MUCH COMMENDATION [ARTICLE]

DESERVES MUCH COMMENDATION

FUEL ADMINISTRATOR'S REQUEST ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY OBEYED. In spite of the fact that the Jasper County Democrat urged the farmers and church people of this community to wilfully disregard the request of the national fuel administrator and had urged them to run their automobiles and, use as much gasoline as they desired, but few automobiles were in use here Sunday. Babcock tells the good church people and the down-trodden farmer that the request is a piece of bosh and that there is already an ovor-supply of gasoline. The national fuel administrator says that there is a shortage of gasoline and unless the present supply is conserved the situation may become critical. Of course, Babcock is right. He will admit that he is always right. He attempts to pussyfoot with the church people and the farmer and writes a long hollow-winded article in reference to the persecuted followers of the lowly Nazarene and the over-burdened farmer. His article must have been highly insulting to both classes, as he offers- excuses for :hem for offenses the must of them lave not and would not commit. Babcock knows as much about farming and religion as he does about the sacred attribute of’ truth. Fanners and church members are in a class with "be general run of humanity. Most of them are patriotic But when there are Packers .n either or both classes they do not deserve the shield of righteousness of the church or robe of dignity of the followers of the Golden Grain. A slacker is a slacker. And not everybody who despises a slacker is a “nut,” as the wise patriotic sentiment moulder of the jackass sheet would have it.

The public is little concerned as to the religion or lack of religion of the editor of the Republican and much less interested in his worldly possessions. But it is the duty not only of editors but everyone to urge that all contribute not their bit but their all in the effort to win the war and win it now. Babcock is a living example of .the attitude of a few of the men in the Democratic party toward the prosecution of the war. He would have the belief prevail that all Democrats are patriots and all Republicans are traitors. When his very attitude on the Sunday gasoline proposition shows that he is trying to discourage the observance of an important governmental request. The percentage of Republican votes in congress cast for measures known as war measures is higher than the percentage of Democratic votes on these same measures. Never before in the history of the politics of this country has the administration had such faithful and unanimous support from the minority party. It has not always been so. Not only has this been true of congress but also the rank and file of the Republicans in the nation have vied with their Democratic neighbors in fully and unreservedly supporting the government. It is entirely out of harmony with The spirit of the times for a loyal editor, whether Democrat or Republican, to urge that full-hearted support should not be given to government regulations and requests. The true consideration for the boys over there, who are offering and many of them making the supreme sacrifice, is for all who remain at home to be constantly concerned and always ready to give to the great cause of the war the full measure of devotion. Let us be deeply concerned as to how we can best serve our country and not how we may continue to enjoy the luxuries and pleasures of peace times.