The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-03-23

If citizen take passage upon a bel
ligerent merchant vessel armed fol
defense and lose his life by the sink
ing of the ship without warning, what
must be the contention and claim oil
this government? To my mind
clearly this: That the citizen in the
exercise of clear right has been de-
prived of his life by the deliberately
illegal act of the belligerent govern
ment which sent the submarine on its
mission of death. Others are welcome
to their own opinions, but can con-
ceive of no other position for this gov
eminent to assume; and unless it is
willing to forfeit the respect of man
kind by becoming a. craven thing 1t
sition at whatever cost,
However desirable it may be that
our citizens for their own sakes should
refrain from travelling upon defensive
ly armed ships, 1t Is quite another
matter for the government to advise
or order them to do so. So long as
he violates no law an American citi-
zen may pursue his business in his
own way, even though it may be a
dangerous business or a dangerous
way. 1t is not to be presumed that he
will recklessly or needessly put his
life in danger-indeed all presump-
tons are to the contrary-and no res
olution of congress can possibly advise
him of any danger Of sea travel which
he does not already fully understand.
But, Mr.. President, what of the AM
erican citizens scattered about the
world engaged in lawful pursuits who
are from time to time obliged to trave.
upon the sea from and to ports be-
tween which neutral ships do not ply?
What is the citizen so placed to do?
Is he indefinitely to maroon himself,
however imperatvely his presence
may be required elsewhere? If not,
and he be entitled to the protection of
his government in the exercise, and
pGIlidpS III TIE Nlldlly HCCtSSdIy tA6I-
else, of his lawful right of travel upon
bellgerent merchant vessel armed
for defense, upon what theory consist
ent with national courage and self re-
spect can congress or the executive in
terfere with or forbid the use of his
own discretion.
| am one of those who desire peace.
detest the bully and the brawler
among nations as | do among individ- |
uals | would sacrifice much to avoid |
war-pride Of opinion, money, prop
erty comfort would fight over no
wrongs which money could compen-
sate-but a nation, when all other
means fail, that will not resent fla
grant and Illegal attack upon the lives
of its own citizens is only less detest-
able than a man who will not fight for
his wife and children.
And so, sir believing as I do about
that, satisfied as l am that-advice or
no advice-if the life of an American
citizen be again taken by the illegal |
and deliberate sinking without warn
Of merchant ship, unarmed or arm
ed only for defense, that this govern
nent should hold the offending nation
TO stern reckoning, shall never give
my consent to the issuance of a for
nal and official notice such as has
been proposed which, if not needed,
would, without minimizing our duty in
he least, have the effect of embarrass-
ng and weakening our moral standing
I we should once more be under the
lad necessity of seeking reparation for
he destruction of the lives of our peo- ,
lie, | repeat, sir and pray God that !
t may not come now; but l would
ather have war, with all its sacrifices ,
md suffering, than that this nation, ,
With its long history of heroism and +
'lory, should play the poltroon when
confronted by supreme national duty !
because 1t places a greater value upon I
is ease than upon its honor.
Nothing in the long run can be 7
more certain to bring trouble upon us c
han policy of timidity and vacilla- v
ion. Such policy is not in keeping /,
With American traditions or spirit. It I
the duty of self respecting nation
stand and to stand firmly for the
lights of every citizen against foreign f.
ggression from any source however n
owerful. q
That is what the federal government n
for, since the state in which the cit "
zen lives protects him in his domes- n
&c rights, The doctrine that the citi- ii
EN- exists for the sake of the govern
lent has never found place in our DO 8,
tical philosophy. If ours is a govern h,
lent of the people and for the people 81
exists for the sake of the citizen. If "a
he individual owes the duty of support n,
nd obedience to the government sure
the government owes him the duty
protection.
If we shall ever have war with D.
mother country it is more likely TO
ssult from some deprivation of rights
filtered by our citizens than from any NJ
her cause. In Mexico thew have q,