The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-17

Would the Kaiser Impose . Dynsstic
A~utocrscy on the World?

To THE EDITOR OF THs SUS-Str. The
purpose OF the war IL found In Ger
many's attempt to impose on the world
a d~ynastic autocracy. a doctrine OF
might. a philosophy Of force. II seeks
that tho world OF the future shall be
ruled by fear rather than by Justice, by
will rather than by right. 1t Is an as
sault upon the theory Of democracy TO
the development Of which the world has
devoted the best part Of two centuries.
1t Affects not only us OF to-day but the
generations to come.
Every nation In the world Is concerned
In this purpose as much as tho bellig-
erents. When we say that England is
fighting the battles OF the United states
We glimpse. however hazily and indis-
tinctly. this purpose behind the war.
When we shudder at the blasphemous
Kaiser citing God as his ally 1t Is be-
cause an instructive appreciation OF TINS
purpose horrines us.
I hold that Germany's purpose. her
attack on the principles OF democracy
and all that the United states has stood
for from the beginning. has done to the
nation an injury incomparably greater
than that caused by the barbarity and
~lllegality OF her methods, hugely more
damaging than the loss OF a few hun
dred American lives or a few million
American dollars.
This purpose has struck at our ideals,
at our traditions. at all that raises US
above the well fed cattle or the com
Portable sheep. We're the cause OF Ger
many to prevail the United states
would cease to exist. for the world
could not contain a dominant Germany
n IN idealistic America. Even could
the carcass Of our country continue 10
live, Its soul, its identity. YOU die. and
It could no longer serve as an inspira-
ton to lesser peoples.
Yet against this purpose OF Germany,
against this attack on the soul OF the
world. against this endeavor to poison
not only ourselves but our future gener-
atoms the Government OF the United
states has not said one word. None
OF Its protests has been based upon th'
higher and more commanding necessity
Of maintaining the orderly evolution Of
nations. Nothing has been said to show
that It would not regard with equanim-
ity the victory OF the German cause &C
long as in achieving II the German
methods did not Interfere with Anne, .
can lives or properties.
hope and l believe that my coun
try will soon be taking part in the war
that IL will prove that II Ia willing 70
share In the sacrifices demanded by the
preservation OF the ideals for which II
has stood and to help to bear the bur
den OF expression that President Wilson
has not made 1t clear that America
stands for more than the protection OF
It's existing rights. and that when It's
sons are dying there will be before their
glazing eyes the vision OF duty owed 70
their world and 10 the dignity OF thc!r
common manhood.
The Lusitania and the Arabic call &c
US in clarion tones 10 abandon oui
slothful ease and vindicate our liberties
much louder and more resonantly, al
though perhaps less distinctly. comes III,
call OF mankind and OF the generation:
TO come that We make the great sacr!'
Ace 10 secure to them the conditions oil
freedom or individual development C
which they are entitled.
BESJAMIS A. GOULD.
TORONTO, September Is.