The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-12-16

treasure required, and the enormous
debt and taxes piled on the shoulders of
future generations, were more than en-
lightened human beings would endure,
But-other wars did comet. And today,
this beautiful world is receiving another
baptism Of blood and groaning under
the scourge of war more terrible than
its predecessors. The fertile plains of
Europe. formed by natures hand to sus-
tain multitudes of people in comfort and
luxury, are devastated and desoiated by
the monster, War! their beautiful cities,
rich with the treasures of antiquity and
famous works of art that have delighted
the eye of civilized man, their busy
centers of useful industry, all heaps of
ruins, their wonderfully productive farms
that had been brought to such high eff
cheney by the ceaseless toll of industri.
GUS workers, all desoiated and their
homes in ashes. Their inhabitants, that
is, the feeble old men and women and
children, driven like cattle from the
region that had been their home from
childhood, are now wanderers on the
face of the earth, pleading for Americas
charity.
And we, VINO nave always been so
filled with pity for the unfortunate, who
have always given freely from our own
supplies, who in times past have well
coined to our shores vast multitudes of
alien people and given them every op-
portunity and privilege that we ourselves
possess - we must now prepare to de-
fend ourselves and must submit to enor-
nous taxes and heavy burdens (for pow
erful navies and Notifications and large
armies cost money! and all because of
the greed and ambition of few people
obsessed with the desire for world en-
plre. Even now an uncomfortable sus-
plclon is creeping into our minds that a
nest of traitors is at work right here in
our own land, trying to involve US in Eu-
ropes awful ruin. We are assailed on
every side by organizations VIGOROUSLY
operating in behalf of Germany. Never
before have we suffered so much from
assassination, bribery, forgery, incen-
diarism. We have had workmen slaugh-
tered while at work in factories of which
Germany disapproves. We are almost
mercially. Cur labor is bribed, our pass
ports forged. If Germany does not like
the destination of our goods the torch is
mysteriously applied to them. The COM
modities that we send abroad to sell, if
displeasing to Germany, carry with them
bombs that are expected to blow ship,
Passengers, crew and cargo to destruc-
ton. For people at peace we certain
ly are not allowed to feel very comfort
able. There is nothing conjectural about
the fact that many OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
so called, acting either by themselves or in
connection with the representatives of
the German government, are promoting
most of this mischief. The tone of the
German American newspapers shows
how much love those people bear for
America, the land that has given them
their freedom and opportunity.
So we are glad to welcome you here
today, not only to show our appreciation
of the service you rendered our country
in her hour of need but also to gain from
you inspiration to help US to face the
trials of the future that are threatening
us. If treason is already raising her
hideous head in our own fair land, if the
time is approaching when those who love
America. who love her better than they
love creeds or dogmas or even political
parties; who love her, first, last. and all
the time, must line up on one side, and
those who love some other form of gov
eminent better shall take the other side
and measure strength, we will look at
the record which stands to your credit