Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-06-22

ations obstacles in the way Of legisia-
ton OF Republican congresses. Until
the recent Democratic tariff legisla-
ton, 1t was hampered by unreasonable
burdens Of taxation.
We heartily indorse the purposes
and policy Of the pending shipping
bill and favor all such additional meas
ures OF constructive or remedial legis-
lation al may be necessary. to restore
our Tag to the seas.
AMERlcANisM.
The part that the United States will
play In the new day Of International
relationships which Is now upon us
will depend upon our preparation and
our character. The Democratic party
therefore recognizes the assertion and
triumphant demonstration Of the In
divisibility and coherent strength of
the nation as the supreme issue OF
this day In which the whole world
faces the crisis of manifold change.
1t summons all men, of whatever
origin or creed, who would count them
selves Americans, to Join In making
clear to all the world the unity and
consequent power Of America.
This Is an issue of patriotism. To
faint 1t with partisanship would be
to defile 1t. In this day of test Amer
lea must show itself not a nation of
partisans, but a nation of patriots.
There is gathered here in America the
best OF the blood, the industry and
the genius Of the whole world, the
elements Of great life and a magnifi-
cent society, to be melted into q mighty
and splendid nation.
Plea for Unity.
Whoever. actuated by the purpose
to promote the interest Of foreign
power, In disregard to our own coun-
try's welfare or to injure this govern
ment In It's foreign relations or cripple
or destroy its industries at home, and
whoever. by arousing prejudices of
racial, religious or other nature, Gre
ates discord and strife among our peo-
pie SO as to obstruct the wholesome
process Of unification. Is faithless to
the trust which the privileges Of citi-
zenship repose In him and disloyal to
the country.
We, therefore, condemn as subver-
sive OF this nations unity and integ-
rity, and as destructive of Its welfare.
the activities and designs Of every
group or organization, political or 9TH
erwise, that has for Its object the ad-
vancement of foreign power, whether
such object Is promoted by intimidat-
ing the government, q political party,
or representatives Of the people, or
which Is calculated and tends to divide
our people into antagonistic groups
and thus to destroy that complete
agreement and solidarity Of the people.
Bans Alien Alliances.
We condemn all alliances and COM
binations Of individuals In this coun-
try of whatever nationality or descent,
who agree and conspire together for
the purpose of embarrassing or weak
ening our government or of improperly
influencing or coercing our public rep
resentatives In dealing or negotiating
with any foreign power. We charge
that such conspiracies among limited
number exist and have been instigated
for the purpose of advancing the inter-
ests Of foreign countries to the preju-
dice and detriment of our own coun-
try. We condemn any political party
which, In view Of the activity Of such
conspirators, surrenders its integrity
or modifies its policy.
PREPAREDNESS
Along with the proof of our charaA
ter as nation must 60 the proof of
our power to play the part that legiti-
mately belongs to us. The people of
the United States love peace. They re-
spect the rights and covet the friend
ship Of all other nations. They desire
neither any additional territory nor
any advantage which cannot be peace
fully gained by their skill. their indus
try or their enterprise; but they insist
upon having absolute freedom of ma
tional life and policy, and feel that
they owe II to themselves and to the
role of spirited independence which 1T
is their sole ambition to play that they
should render themselves secure
against the hazard of interference
from any quarter. and should be able
to protect their rights upon the seas
or I'm any part of the world.
We therefore favor the maintenance
of an army fully adequate to the re-
quirements or order, safety and of the
protection Of the nations rights, the
fullest development of modern meth
DDS of seacoast defense, and the main
tenance of an adequate reserve Of citi-
zens trained to arms and prepared to
safeguard the people and territory OF
the United States against any danger
of hostile action which may unexpect-
eddy arise: and fixed policy for the
continuous development of navy wor-
thy to support the great naval tradi-
tons of the United States and fully
equal to the international tasks which
the United States hopes and expects
to take part In performing.
SAFETY OF SEA.
The Democratic administration has
throughout the present war scrupu-
lousy and successfully held to the