The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-09-09
-. a' s..*.@.s' 81.

aev1ated from the straight line Of perfect rect..
,ude tn all its history.
It has been in tune and sympathy with tho
nighmindedness and sensible idealism Of ths
american people in regard to great events in
the worlds history as its events march past
The influence of American public opinion Is al
ways thrown on the side OF right as that opin
ION sees it, not on the side Of prejudice. 1t can
De truthfully said that the American people
stand for Charity to all and malice toward
ncne" 1t is not surprising. therefore, that all
American good opinion. while Germany has de.
sired. not only the good opinion, but an active
enppcrt-not through armies and navies but
through the manipulation and distortion OF
Neutral rights In her favor. H. I'D. ..-p~ -.~
The use Of German-AmericAn political In.
fuence. and the threat or what it could do, was
not very logical tSs for osss. lion
feeling. or influence. OF sections Of the Amer.
tcan people are to be considered. then. on the
basis Of the majority ruling. the American Gov.
eminent must have abandoned its strict neu.
trality in the favor Of the Allies; for we are
assured from a thousand quarters in the United
States that the overwhelming majority OF tho
cause. That Is acknowledged bitterly and
rtciously BY the Germans themselves.
There are those however. in this country
who have been as illogical. as unreasonable
Deen unable to understand why, when the
American people, by an immense majority, IA
vored the cause OF the Allies. the American
Government should remain neutral, or should
not completely and openly support the Allies.
They cannot understand why the United States
should not officially have condemned Germany
position is shortsighted and unjust. do not
hesitate to say that the universal condemns
ton OF the violation Of Belgian neutrality. with
the cruel and murderous treatment OF the Bel
city committed on such towns as Dinant, Aer'
schot. Ma1ines. Louvain and Termonde. has in
Its spontaneity and freedom from official direc-
tion an infinitely greater effect upon the world
than any Official reproach, with its carefully
worded phrases. could have had
The newspapers and the people of the United
untrammeled by any complications which
might have occurred II, for instance, Germany
had told the United States to mind her own
business on the receipt Of an official note con
satisfied people here to this would be. "Ah,
then, the United States. il she were challenged
by Germany. would abandon her neutrality and
take part in the war on the side Of the Aliesl"
To very many others. however, 1t is infinitely
better for the worlds sake. and believe for
our own, that the United States should not
It may be that many more nations than are
now at war in Europe will be involved before
Summer has come In the interests OF stable
civilization it is essential that the steadying.
wholesome. dispassionate and honorable IN.
duencs Of the United States should, .unhamp'
cred by the terrible restrictions Of belligerency
particularly in the interests Of the small ma
lions in the whole world when the end Of this
war comes. Against militarism. and the re-
suits Of militarism; the United states - op-
ctded for herself-whether this nation and this
Empire II militaristic nation and Empire.
We do not fear her scrutiny IN this regard;
We welcome the closest study Of our policy ana
our practice: and that II why the vast ma.
1ority Of us in this country feel that the United
States can serve the best interests OF c1s''i1s