The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-12
REAL A~MERlcANISM.
senator Sutherlsnd's Conception Of
the Nations Present Duty.

SSiCh bICi iiti NtSSNi " |
defence and lose his life by the sink
Of the ship without warning. what
must be the contention n claim of
this Government? To my mind.
clearly this: That the citizen in the
exercise of n clear right has been de-
prived of his life by tho deliberately |
illegal act of the belligerent Govern
ment which sent the submarine on Its
mission of death. Others are welcome
to their W. opinions, but ! n con
ccive Of no other position for this
Government to assume and unless IL
Is willing to forfeit the respect of
mankind by becoming a craven thing
II must be prepared to sustain that po-
sition at whatever cost.
However desirable II lay he that
our citizens for their own saltes should
refrain from travelling upon defen-
sivcly armed ships. II II quite another
matter for the Government to advise
or order them to do 70. SO long as
he violates no law an American citizen
may pursue his business In his W
way. even though il may be a danger
GUS business or n dangerous way. II
Is not to be presumed that he will
recklessly or needlessly put his life In
danger--lndecd. all prescriptions are
to the contrary-and no resolution 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
American citizens scattered about the
world engaged In lawful pursuits who
are from time to time Obliged TO travel
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 imperativcly his presence
may be required elsewhere? II not.
and he be entitled to the protection
OF his Government in the exercise.
and perhaps In the vitality necessary
| exercise, OF his lawful right Of travel
/ upon u belligerent merchant vessel
armed for defence. upon what theory
consistent with national courage and
| self-respect can Congress or the Ex-
| ecutive interfere with or forbid the
use OF his own discretion?
am one OF those who desire peace.
I dotest the bully and the brawler
| among nations as I do among indlvid-
| uals. I 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 n fia-
grant and illegal attack upon the lives
M i,s own citizens IL only less dctcst-
ohio than n man who will not f,ght for
his vifo and children.
AMI IN civ believing ms I do about
,,., satisfied as I am th,t-adyice or
M o5viro-i, IN. lif, of an American
.,,tza, n, ,ra,, ,akop lv tha Illegal
,,a ~,a,,hora,a stirring vi.hout warning
-, ,,orcb,r, chin unsrmed or armed
c,iy r,r d.f.ncc that this Government
shnu,d ho,a the offending nation TO q
stern reckoning. I shall never give my
consent, to ,he issuance OF a forma.
and official noticc sich as has beer
nronos.I which. n not needed, would
ui,hou, inimIzin our duty In the
,o,,, ho,a IN. effect of embarrassine
,rd weakening our moral standing Il
"a. should once more be under the sac
,.ccssi,v az X r.paration for tn,
-d..,rrc.i,, n, Tho lives of our people.
,.,o,, cir nat, I do not want war o.
on, limo and | pray God tina, Il ma,
no, ,om. now. hut | would rattle
b,vo var with nil It's sacrifices ant
suffering than tina. his nation. witt
ia long history OF heroism and glory
should MAY the po.troon when con
frou,.d by a supreme national dut,
because n places a greater value upoi
its case than unon its honor.
Nothing in the long run can "
more certain To- bring trouble upoI
: us than a policy OF ,imid.,y and vacil
latiun. Such a policy Is not in keep
Ing with American traditions or spirit
, 1t Is the duty OF a s~-lf-respectin
/ nation TO stand, and TO stand firmly
? for the rights of every citizen agalns
j foreign aggression from any SQUIRE
however powerful.
That is what the Federal Govern
mont is FOR. since the State In whic
the citizen lives protects him IN hi
domestic rights. The doctrine y a IN
citizen exists for the sake OF the Gov
eminent has never ound place IN GU
political philosophy. IL ours is n GOV
eminent OF the people ~ tor IN
| people IL exists Tor the sake OF IN
! citizen. II the individual o'Nes the out
y of support and obedience 10 the TOY
eminent. surely the Government owe
y him the OF protection
II We ever awe n war VII