River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-04-12
The War Talk In
House and Senate
BY James A. Frear, M. c.


gress has declared war on Germany.
Whatever differences in judgment
may have existed prior to that vote,
every citizen owing allegiance to
this government is now party to
the declaration, because Congress
speaks for the government. The
presidents address left little alter
native and the recital of differences
with the German government was
an argument which practically de-
termined the result in advance. Ev-
cry ex-president and would-be presi-
Dental candidate of both parties, to-
gether with President Wilson, all
seemed to be of one mind on the
subject. The war resolution was OPP
posed on several grounds, including
insufficient cause, CONSUMPTION of
troops, sending them to Europe, and
also the questioned policy of inter-
meddling in European affairs, with
its affect on the Monroe Doctrine in
this hemisphere.
1t is useless now to discuss these
reasons because the die is cast and
every citizen and every official is re-
quired to support the government
in all its undertakings. The privi-
leges of citizenship carries with it
certain duties and patriotic citizens
are required to render loyal service
wherever and whenever called upon.
For many weeks and at last cOnclud-
ing with Is hours continuous discus
sion in the House, all the arguments
and conditions were canvassed by
these responsible for a decision.
Congressman Lundeen of Minneapo-
lis submitted a referendum in his
district to the people of all condi-
tons and nationalities, with the re-
suit that out of 5000 replies, less
than 5 per cent declared in favor of
war. This and many other similar
arguments were offered on the floor
but to those familiar with govern
mental and international relations,
the responsibility could not be shirk-
ed by placing a justification for hos
tilities upon the shoulders of the
president or excuses for opposite ac-
ton upon the advice of constituents.
The writer has served five years
enlistment in the regular army serv-
ice; organized Co. C, 3rd Regiment,
nearly 80 years ago. and ten years
later raised a provisional company
at Hudson for the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, rendering it's services to
the government Immediately after
the departure of Company c for the
front. Possibly this service helped
to a better meaning of the war res
olution, which | did not support.
There is but one course to pursue
now, and in common with all other
opponents of the resolution, full
hearty cooperation and support will
now be given the Administration
whose head is President Wilson,
Commander in Chief of the Army
and Navy.
1t is suggested in army circles
that an army of 100000 must be
ultimately recruited either by vol
unteers or if necessary by conscrip-
ton. Such an army can be built up
only by long arduous labor extend
ing from one to two years in dura-
ton. Wisconsin's share of that
army can only be approximated but
possibly 100000 able bodied young
men will be required from our state
and the number from each county
and smaller community may be as
certained from that basis. Those
who have been active for war and
those of opposite minds. must all
work together TO meet whatever de-
mands are made by government be-
cause few intelligent students of af-
fairs believe the war will be finished
without sacrifice and some hard ex-
perience. 1t has been urged that
those most active for war are often
last to give consistent full hear ted
support to actual war. Whatever
the facts may be, war is not carried
on like politics, by one party or the
other, but by all working together
for common goal.
The hearts of men charged with
the responsibility have been heavy
for many days but with a decision
now reached all will act natriotioaI.