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The Commoner
OCTOBER, 1916
17
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American president because ho chooses to ignoro
blood and church and party in the cause of peace
would suffer less by committing hari-kari. So
that it may becloud the real issue, the republican
party has sought to copyright the phrase "Firm
Americanism" without defining it. By this phrase
they want the English-born to understand that
if the President had been a iirm American, Bel
gium would not have been invaded and the Lu
sitania would not have been sunk. This is what
the late strategist at Armageddon is supposed
to believe. On the othrjhand, to that small
portion of the people who think more of Ger
many than America, that phrase is supposed to
mean that had ho been a firm American, the
German Emperor would never have been called
upon to admit a breach of neutrality in sinking
the Lusitania. In my opinion, the average Amer
ican wants to know whg is in the partnership
with Candidate Hughes in this "firm American
ism"? Does the firm consist of Hughes and
Roosevelt, pf Hughes and Hoheuzollern, or of
Hughes, surviving partner of the firm of Hughes
and Huerta, closing out a shabby stock of shqlf
worn political patent medicines not guaranteed
under tho pure drug act?
WHAT CONSTITUTES "AMERICAN HONOR"
Another phrase copyrighted without definition
by the republicans Is "American Honor." Now
everybody knows that there are as many kinds
of honor as there are kinds of men. A gambler
believes that honor consists in paying his gaming
debts. A crook believes it consists in shielding
his pals and a thief in fairly dividing the booty.
Individual honor changes with the ages. Alex
ander Hamilton thought that honor demanded
that he give Aaron Burr a chance to kill him
but we now do not think so. Tho honor of
America is simply the composite opinion of the
American people as to when and why we should
go to war. We have an Americanism in this coun
try. We have a sense of national honor. It does
not belong to the men who are holding office nor
to the men who want office. It is the composite
opinion of the American people as to what con
duct constitutes cause for war. The whole his
tory of the republic from Washington down, is
filled with illustrations of the taking of Amer
ican life, and the destruction of American prop
erty but the instances are rare in which Amer
ican honor was so assailed that the people
deemed it necessary to maintain that honor by
force of arms. Neither the President nor the
people have lost the American spirit. Whether
native-born or foreign-born, an overwhelming
majority love the flag and are loyal to our in
stitutions. Let any organized government upon
the face of the earth through its governmental
authorities, deliberately offer an insult to the
flag, or trample upon the rights of the American
people and the Spirit of '76 will be found alive
everywhere in our land. But so long as there is
no manifest- intention or deliberate purpose on
the part of a government to insult our govern
ment, not all the perturbed orators who long for
place can stir the martial spirit in the breasts
of our people. We will not fight to please indi
vidual views. We take up arms only for the
composite American who has been moulded in
the constitutional pattern of civil and religious
liberty.
In regard to Mexico, let the republicans say
that they will intervene. Let them announce
their purpose to invade that country and police
it, to guarantee title to property however ob
tained and to remain therein as long as neces
sary, and then let every son, husband and father,
synchronously with voting the republican ticket
enlist in the army of intervention. But if they
will not do this let them keep silence. Mere
criticism is not constructive. Nobody discharges
one doctor whom another criticizes for his treat
ment, unless the second offers a better remedy.
Post mortems may discover diseases but they do
not reincarnate.
The one bright, peaceful spot under the sun
this day is America and it is so because the
President pleads guilty to the charge of using
words rather than shot and shell and shrapnel.
Three years ago we thought that the age of brute
force had passed and that the brain and heart
of man were to rule the world. Impartially and
in accordance with our treaties and the princi
ples of international law, the President has used
mere words. For this the exigencies of a po
litical campaign demand that he shall be criti
cized. If America is to lead the world toward
that now seemingly far-distant goal where brute
force shall be bound by wisdom and conscience
in fetters which it can never again break, thon
theso aro tho hours for mero words. Parties
como and parties go. Politicians and partisans
strut their brief hour and disappear. Socrates
drank his cup of hemlock but philosophy lived
on. Tho spirit of Savonarola went up in smoko
from tho market placo in Florence but religion
remained the supremo hope of the human heart.
Mocked at, misunderstood, misjudged, Lincoln
went to his martyr's crown but tho republic was
reunited and still lives. In this hour of Avorld
darkness, I have faith that humankind is going
upward to tho heights, not downward to tho
vales. Tho judgment of tho American people is
not to mako a martyr of tho man who brooded
over the republic in storm-stressed times and by
mero words spoke peace to tho troubled seas of
international policies.
Not for .additional honor, but in tho hopo that
I may assist in tho re-election of Woodrow Wil
son who has not walked where the path has led,
but who has walked where thero was no path
and who has left a trail, I accept this nomination.
THE FEDERAL FARM LOAN BOARD
Tho following signed statement was given out
by the Federal Farm Loan board on its return
to Washington, September 28:
Tho Federal Farm Loan board returned today
from a trip which began August 21st 'at Au
gusta, Maine, and extended through tho follow
ing states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhodo Island, Connecticut, New
York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota,
Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Washing
ton, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah,
Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebras
ka, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio. In all, the
board conducted twenty-seven hearings, con
cluding at Columbus, Ohio, on tho 27th of Sep
tember. Theso hearings were largely attended by ac
tual farmers and representatives of farm organ
izations, by representatives of agricultural col
leges in tho various states, by bankers, business
men, and county agents or farm experts oper
ating under tho Smith-Lever Extension act.
Tho keenest interest in tho Federal Farm
Loan act was manifested by farmers and every
class of people in tho communities visited. The
law was universally approved by farmers, busi
ness men and bankers, who assured the boafd
of their cci-operation.
The need for tho Federal Farm Loan law was
especially emphasized by tho wido inequalities
in interest rates disclosed in tho hearings, these
rates ranging from 5 per cent per annum to
5 per cent per month; by tho fact that even
where interest rates of 5 or 6 per cent were
charged, commissions also wero exacted rang
ing from a flat rate of 1 to 2 per cent, to a rate
of from 1 to 3 per cent per annum, on loans.
In cases where flve-year mortgages wero made,
the commissions, at 3 per cent per annum,
amounted to 15 per cent of tho principal sum
borrowed, and this amount was deducted when
the loan was effected, so that tho borrower got
tho use of only 85 per cent of tho principal and
paid at tho rato of 6 per cent per annum on the
full amount of the loan. In addition to these
charges, the borrower has to pay for tho ab
stract of title, frequently quito costly, as well
as for the preparation of legal papers, recording
fees, etc.
The excessive cost of mortgago loans on farms
and the short terms for which they can bo se
cured, have had a serious and injurious effect
upon farm development and productivity. It
was shown in every stato visited that even the
industrious farmer of modest means who had
only a small farm but who could offer unques
tionable security, was unable to get farm credit
on any terms. Nearly all loan companies or
corporations have an arbitrary rule not to lend
on farms below a certain size; not to lend more
than an arbitrary amount per acre, no matter
what the real value of the acre may be; not to
lend lessVthan a certain amount, $1,000 being
the lowest limit. In many states it was found
that the farmer was never certain that ho could
effect a loan, however good the mortgage secur
ity, and that the incidental delays were serious
and frequently defeated the purpose of the loan.
Tho investigation showed a widespread and
imperative necessity for" the long time amortiza
tion loans at reasonable rates of interest (not
to exceed 6 per cent) provided for by the Farm
Loan act, and it was everywhere conceded that
long timo credits of this character will greatly
fltlmulato agricultural development; increase
farm ownerships; dlscourago tho gro'wing evil
of farm tenantry, which has already assumed
alarming proportions In some of tho states; in-
crcaso farm productivity and enhance tho pros
perity of tho farmer, and thereby tho general
prosperity throughout tho country.
In several stater, it was called to tho attention
of tho board that joint stock land banks wero
being organized by questionable means by stock
salesmen or promoters who aro taking advantago
of tho farmer's deslro for loans on tho amor
tized plan to sell stock to farmers. Farmora
aro advised that there Is no necessity for sub
scribing to tho stock of any prlvato corporation
for tho purpose of securing such a loan, and aro
cautioned not to do so oxcept upon an invest
ment basis. Tho board suggests that farmers
make no investments in such land banks until
they havo first inquired of tho Federal Farm
Loan board at Washington as to tho character
and responsibility of such organizations and of
tho men who aro organizing them. No Joint
stock land banks can bo organized under tho
federal act except with tho approval of tho Fed
eral Farm Loan board.
Tho board has gathered a vast fund of in
formation as to farm loan and agricultural con
ditions in tho sections visited, which will provo
invaluablo when tho board determines tho
boundaries of tho twelve farm loan districts and
tho location of the twelve federal land banks.
Tho board will proceed as quickly as posslblo
with hearings in tho Atlantic coast, southern
and southwestern states, of which duo announce
ment will bo made in tho near future. Mean
while stenographic reports of tho hearings and
tho briefs which havo been submitted to tho
board will bo carefully digested. Until that tlmo
no indication can bo given as to tho boundaries
of tho farm loan districts or tho location of tho
banks. It is expected, however, that tho fed
eral land banks will bo organized and opened
for business in January, 1917
(Signed) W. G. McAdoo, Geo. W. Norrls,
Herbert Quick, W. S. A. Smith, Chas. E. Lobdell.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
W. T. Barnett, Torre Haute, Ind.r Enclosed
please find check for $10 for national democratic
campaign fund, where it is most needed to help
re-olect Woodrow Wilson president, the best ono
we ever had.
H. W. Hagerman, Sturgls, Mich.: I encloso
$1.20 for subscription two years. I also en
close check for $5 for campaign fund. Thero
Is no paper doing more good for the democratic
cause than The Commoner.
L. G. Turnley, Do Land, Fla.: Enclosed find
my mite to help along a little a good cause, I
am amazed that a man who shows the shallow
bitterness of his nature should ever have been
appointed a member of the greatest civil tribunal
in tho world. I trust bo 'will never become an
other of Teddy's presidents.
L. B. Cross, Mansfield, Conn.: Enclosed pleaso
find $1 for campaign fund and hoping Woodrow
Wilson will again be elected President. We
feel honored to have him near to us at Now
London City, for only a few days.
J. K. Montgomery, West Union, la.: I encloso
a check for $5 to apply on tho Wilson campaign
fund. I think he has made as good a president
as this nation ever had and I want to see him
re-elected. I thought as you were send to tho
committee you could send this too. It Is small,
but I trust it will bring value received.
Lloyd Fast, Bemis, W. Va.: Please find en
closed $2 post office money order which use to
help re-elect President Wilson. As a democrat,
I am very anxious that the progressive policies
set in motion by the present administration bo
continued. So I contribute to finance the dem
ocratic national campaign.
M. B. Crow, Jenks, Okla.: Hero is $2 for na
tional campaign purposes. Use it where it will
do the most good in your opinion. Distributed
all the literature you sent me, and believe It
-will be of some good and think it may bring a
vote or so to the grand old party. Here is to
Wilson and the democratic party for 19 10. .
Jas. G. Belanger, Houma, La.: Enclosed Is
check for $2, my contribution to the national
democratic campaign, which please accept with
best wishes.
J. F, Callahan, Wallace, Ida.: I enclose check
for $1.50 to cover my dues to The Commoner,
and a check for $50 for the Wilson campaign
fund.
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