The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-06

Editor of The Washington Herald:
have been astounded at the position as
stunned by so many of our Senators and
Representatives i'll the recent crisis in
refusing to comment upon the various
developments until after the President
had acted. p, until such time as the
need for such expressions should have
vanished: and have been still more
surprised at their alleged reason for their
silence e. that the interests of the
public demand it, How so? Why do
We elect these men to office? Why do
We pay them salaries? Is it that in times
of national danger they might close their
mouths like CLAIMS or is il. perChance.
that they might intensity and bring to
a focus upon the Administration the
best public opinion, TO the end that the
nations self-respect and the rights of its
citizens may be safesuarded? We right
cously demand of these men, our paid
servants. that they do the work for
which they are paid. that they truly
serve the best interests and the best
traditions OF our country, that they cease
to play politics in times of national dan
ger. and. particularly, that they make
their position clear at the present time
in unmistakable terms. This will not
and cannot embarrass the Adminstra
ton so long as ii truly serves the ma
ZION. While IL II ldllS 10 10 inns, lnt
more it is embarrassed the better. 1
did not know that our President either
seeks or is entitled to claim the powers
OF ear or a kaiser. that We should
be admonished by some of our servants
to hold our peace until the President acts.
l have been surprised at the endevor
that Is being made in some unexpected
quarters to suppress even such individual
comment as would urge upon our respon-
sible officials the only course of action
that is compatible with the maintenance
of our national self-respect. viz, that
which calls spade a spade. which deals
with a rogue as rogue and with an
assassin as an assassin. We who urge
such course are even referred to as
LIMOGES" apparently because we do not
look upon considerations of mere "ex-
pediency as being of paramount inn
portance. We are even consigned TO
the trenches" whittier. in the interests
of our country. we would go il our
critics would not But In this connection
a curious thing is TO be observed name
", that the "Jingoes'' proper Uthe good
er hurikan citizen and the conserva-
tives the calm. level-headed. native-Sorn
patriots, have changed places-those who
short time ago were blowing and
bluffinG about the worldwide supremacy
of America are now recommending Eek
pediency.' and those who previously were
pointing out the bluff and false asser-
tons of the real "Jingoes' are now say
ing: Where self-respect and righteous
ness are concerned. expediency spells
cowarCise," and When a criminal Act
has been committed and the proof is
at hand. the time for. parleying has
passed, and to attempt to evade or even
to postpone action. is to make ourselves
an accomplice after the fact"
But all these things in pants" who
advise cool elaboration when the time
for it Is past. who call for peace when
the only possible terms of peace have
been violated, who cry "expediency"
when every fiber Of mans being Is re-
solving. regardless of consequences"
and who bolster up their position by
pointing to an alleged public opinion. fail ]
utterly to comprehend that there is no
national public opinion that does not in i
clude the opinions both of our progeni- |
tors and of our posterity. Did our
fathers sacrifice their lives and bring
this nation forth in order that We should |
be afraid to face the monster that now |
to destroy the ideals for which |
us guiltless IL we fall down. ever SO lit |
tie. before this god. "expediency?" III
think not
] know. and every sane person in this 1
knows regardless of what he 4
may affect to believed. that the only right /
and the only self-respecting course for
this country to take at the present time
Is the following: To recall our ambas-
sador and sever diplomatic relations with /
Germany forthwith: to declare Germany
an outlaw from civilization; to place an /
embargo on all exports to and imports
from Germany to protect our commerce
with Gcrmany's opponents with our own
heet;- to give whatever further assistance
ne cAn toward the humiliation of this
monster of inhuman German "kultur,"
md. finally. to make our position clear \
10 other neutral nations and to notify
hem that. in the name Of humanity. We
hall expect their united assistance and
N this Drogram. In this