Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-04-12
E DIT O IRA
WHY CONDEMN THEM?

tNih' N'AAi'
Why should we condemn the congressman and senator's
who voted against what amounts to a declaration OF war;
We are moved to this observation through a report Of a
rather caustic telegram which many OF the st. Paul congress
mans constituents sent him
There We're many Americans aside from congressman who
were opposed to the entrance Of the United States into the war.
1t does not follow that they were not, or that they are not
row, patriotic American citizens.
1t is conceded that Great Britain has been conducting an
illegal blockade in the North Sea. 1t began before the German
blockade of the British Isles was declared,
The chief point which America makes against Germany
IS not especially that its blockade is illegal, but that its method
Of attempted enforcement outrages human instincts and tram
There are those who believe that, in view of our federation
of Great Britain's blockade, America was not fully warranted
in entering upon the war, and they accordingly voted against
the passage OF the resolution declaring a state of war to exist
between this country and Germany, and upon the broad ground
that the benefits likely to accrue will not justify the expendi-
ture of blood and treasure that must ensue.
Among those 50 voting were two South Dakota congress
men.Royal G. johnson of this district and G. Fl. Dillon Of
the Sioux Falls-Yankton district.
Our Judgment may be based upon a misrepresentation with
regard to the character of the man, but we have esteemed Mr..
Dillon as a man of pronounced convictions and the courage to
maintain them.
Mistaken though he occasionally may be, Congressman
Dillon is one whose heart beats in unison with the pulsations
OF humanlty's great heart.
Conscientious and straightforward, big-hearted and low
able, he would rather lose his seat in congress than to vote
against his convictions and against what he conceives to be the
convictions OF his constituents.
Notwithstanding his adverse vote, Mr.. Dillon is a loyal,
patriotic American. We wish that every seat in either house Of
congress were occupied by a man OF his type.
ster describes a patriot as zone who loves his country and
zealously supports and upholds its institutions and interests. -
And G. "a. Dillon, we opine, will be found lending the full
weight of his influence and ability, supported by the strength
Of his great love for humanity, for the cause which America
has espoused.
We need scarcely say that what we have said concerning
MT. billions sincerity may be applied to his associate who
voted with him.
No, we're not going to join in condemning those who were
IN the minority on the question Of war. They undoubtedly be-
Ieved they were voting for their country's welfare.
Their duty, now lying before them, requires that they ac-
cord their government every ounce Of their strength in accom-
ollshlng the purpose for which war was proclaimed.
So far as South Dakota's representatives in congress are
concerned, we think they will neither shirk their duty nor
SHRINK from the consequences of nnrformjnO it
It we wish to transport an army to Europe, we might
stretch a couple OF ropes across the ocean, equip the Fords with
wheels after the fashion Of those on the barn door, and start
= string OF vehicles over the Atlantic. There are Fords
enough IN this country to carry five million men and guns
IN one trip. 1T more Fords are needed, Henry could make 'en
fast enoughsto transport ten thousand men a day.
IT the German people once understood that they, not the
ruling dynasty, pay the cost of the war, they might emulate
the example ct the Russians, and thus permit their kaiser to
retire to one Of his farms.
No European potentate shall be permitted to get a foot
hold on the American continent unless he does SO over the
PROSTATE bodies of the American people.