The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-03-19
An Open Letter to Congress

Pedlency mas supplanted Hoyle. The rulers
have upset the rules. Entente and Alliance are
deuceS wild in the international deck Study
your cards carefully and watch the kings.
Civilization is gasping at the Titan gamble
Domains dynasties and liberties are in the pot.
This is gun poker without code or limit Artil-
lery tops aces.
Don't involve u.s. We dread the very
thought of murder by millions Too many have
already died for the Republic but not enough
men have lived for its greater glory.
We cannot waste a generation in the sham
bles We need our strength for battles which
we cannot avoid-for wars we must wage with
pest and pestience, social wrong and moral
ignorance.
However, there is transcending tradition
which may never count COSTA tradition for
which our fathers died by land and sea and it is
this: To be an American IS to serve honor first.
But, as we stand today any first class power
can smear our name with ignoniny.
We are hundred million strong-yet what
do numbers count, if we are impotent to utilize
them.
We do not want war and we do not plan
for war when we demand defenses SO strong
that they will discourage other nations from
warning upon us.
We cannot be sure that we will be permitted to
mind our own business, until in position to
compel other countries to mind theirs No policy but
an insurance policy can guarantee that security.
American products must be world-fung but we
cannot extend our trade further than prepared
to defend it,
Commercial enmities are forerunners of national
hatreds The rivaies that begin in trade end on bat
tlefelds,
We aren' playing soitaire-we can't and thrive.
We have entered the Big Game and must learn to think
in international terms
The principles which guided us to mighty yester-
days will seduce tomorrow The past cannot think
for the future AS times change so must ideas and
ideals.
What arc you going to do for us, gentlemen9
There are considerations before the country which
will not tolerate parties and paTtisans.
Forget your tag and remember our flag.
t'See America First''-do not sacrifice national
necessities for local needs.
What do you intend to be-a statesman or pea
nut Politician patriot or a paytriot?
There are hours when constituencies must be for
gotten for constitutions when states must yield to
united states.
You were elected by your fellows and sent to
Washington to represent and protect their interests
we expect you udNC
You are at the source and in intimate touch with
ditions If you know what is right and your people
have not yet learned the necessity Of measures which
are vital to the Republic, it is your duty not to
cater to their ignorance and your self-interest.
You are one of a corps of physicians employed to
maintain the national system good order and you're
as guilty Judas when you knowingly fail to pre-
scribe the proper remedies.
IL you have opinions, fight for them but first be
that you haven't prejudices If you have ideals,
stand by them But if you are just pork-barre pol-
tcian machine cadet-if you chance to be one OF
the occasional ues who would never have been seated
had the voters dreamed of impending crisis which
calls forth all the wisdom and courage Of our people
then in the name Of every martyr ho died for us and
every statesman aho lived for ,s- the name OF de-
cency-in the name OF honor-n the name Of our chill
dren and yours-play straight aud give square
deal.
History won't FORGET you If vow DO, and, ~
the living God, we'll GET sou ii you DON'T.