Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-19
BE AMERICANS THIS DAY

TIME breaking point in the relations between
= the United States and Germany has been
reached Fulfilling his promise made when
the Gore and McLemore resolutions were be-
fore Congress, the President has summoned
both Houses, to put before them the condi-
ton of the country. The session of Con-
tion Of the country. This momentous meet
pGak Congress falls on the one hundred and
fosS lrst anniversary Of the battle of Lex
fneton
There is no room for panic and no room
for politics in the narrow place into which
this country has been forced 1t is not nee
essary to insist that what is happening today
should have happened eleven months ago.
1t is not important to point out what others
might have done in the Presidents place.
"a terrible decision lies before the country,
q decision which men have foreseen but for
the consequences of which they not pre-
pared Between looking backward to the
light of Lexington and forward into the in
penetrable dark, there is no time for criticism
to corrupt the unity of the nation.
Congress meets today for stern and sim
pie purpose 1t is to reaffirm, at whatever
cost, the independence of this country. The
shot fired by the embattled farmers at Lex
sington was heard round the world, but Ger
many has grown deaf with the thunder Of
her own guns, and Congress must make her
listen again. Behind every violation of hu-
man rights. behind every pledge made to this
to recognize the United States as an inde-
pendent nation, entitled to it's place and it's
privilege among the nations of the earth.
Exactly what the President has to tell Con-
gress is not known, but the assumption is
that he viii deal with the entire submarine
the advisability of breaking off diplomatic
negotiations. But no matter what the form
is, the question will be whether the United
States shall continue free nation shall
subject itself to the imperial will of Germany.
No two opir~~s can exist. Congress and
out equivocation. behind the President, be-
cause If they desert him they will have no
free country to call their own.
So much of the fundamental issue must be
understood before the gravity of the issue be-
fore Congress can be realized
Lexington was the beginning of a war.
Whatever action is taken on its anniversary
must have the same purpose and the same
Ideal. even If another war comes as result.
II war does come it will not be because we
Iau Had Va bo.y
negotiations with Germany SHOULD cease. We
have strained every point. have carried
patience to the verge of humiliation. in order
TO avoid this day. Germany has forced every
issue. Germany must abide by this one
The history of our relations with Germany,
alnes the war broke out. is history of MUIR
der and falsehood ON one side. of desperate
clinEing to the hope of humanity on the other.
Il Is more than a year since the first Amer
lean life was lost through submarine attack
It Is nearly year since the first American
steamer was sunk. 1t is eleven months since
the rouIest crime OF modern civilization was
plotted and planned and executed by the Ger
man Government It is six months since the |
German Government gave its solemn oath that /
1hs Lives OF neutrals should be safeguarded on /
shs high seas. It is not necessary to rehearse
= detail ths outrages which have since been
psEpetrated. The case OF humanity against
Germany L the concern OF the United States
only where the interests OF civilization and
he interests Of this country coincide other
eeanfEles haze suffered. The United States.
because It vas strong enough to protest. has
alens heen humiliated.
ne humiliation We have suffered Germany
- dared 20 visit upon Us because she did
- believe thai today would come. She has
.aassn every diplomatic word to preserve
-. but ahs has used every murderous deed
s Hzesake aar because she thought that war
80 net pe waged By us. Her murder OF
zHEsEssan citizens could perhaps have been
'sa sess tsehnieallg e. diplomatieslly.
hIa# ~ eenaoae fhe eoatempl fer
asa a - hfoasn faizh.
- aEeesa. g aas. leaz