Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-01-25
LETTER FROM DR.. VIcKERs.
Morgantown, w. Va,

=
and able 10 make another advance. Be-
yond doubt, you are justified IN raising
the price OF the Register. Under exist
ing conditions, you cannot be expected
TO publish it at the old price. Besides,
the Register is amply worth the new
price. In the last quarter century have
as subscriber followed the Register
from two dollars down to one. | now
meet il on the compromise basis of dol
lar and a-half. We can hardly afford to
get on without it-always newsy, crisp
and clean, usually iorceful advocate OF
the best interests OF the community in
which, though absent, have an abiding
interest.
1t is neither possible nor desirable that
we should all be in agreement on all sub
iects. Yet il is TO me matter OF keen
personal regret that the Register has seen
fit 10 speak of Theodore Roosevelt as
only proved traitor or criminal should
be spoken OF by just and patriotic citi-
zen. Personally, was as enthusiastic
for Woodrow Wilson in 1912 as any man
in this country. This year could have
supported Theodore Roosevelt with equal
enthusiasm, confident that it would be an
intelligent expression OF patriotic duty.
II seems 10 me that the present admin
istration has deplorably failed 10 protect
the rights and interests of the nation as
affected by the war, has turned a cold,
deaf ear TO the weak and innocent in
Belgium when made the victims OF saw
agery unprecedented in Christian annals,
has permitted without even formal pro-
test the sweeping aside ofthe whole body
OF international law and its basic princi-
piles OF moralitY-Which were the highest
expression of our civilisation and the sole
safeguard for the rights OF pacific peo-
10 ourselves, TO humanity and TO civiliSa-
tion. The more we wish TO live in peace,
the more we abhor the necessity for vast
expenditures on army and navy, the less
can we afford TO see Germany profit by
her atrocities which are unprecedented in
civilized warfare, by her ruthless diSre-
gard OF rights as specified in international
law, by her defiance OF the very princi-
Piles OF humanity and civiisation which
all people have hitherto found honor in
defending. II her might makes right,
then the Declaration OF independence
becomes irony. Think you that she, who
has so often scoffed at us, would respect
our "rights," as against her necessity"
more than she did those OF Belgium
But had no intention 10 discuss these
matters, which 10 me as an American
seem as vital as The foed procured by my
daily effort for myself and for my children.
MOI less than the President, abominate
war and crave peace. But, unlike him, |
believe that the only assurance Of peace,
present or iuture, is TO condemn, rather
than TO condone, outrage, TO lei the law
less understand that they will suffer,
rather than profit, by lightly breaking the
peace OF nations, by barbaric atrocities
towards enemies and cynical contempt in
violating the rights OF neutrals. A per-
tiuent German phrase says: "Es kann
der Beste NIGHT in Fneden ieben, wenn
es dem bosen Nschbar NIGHT gefallt. The
best man cannot live in peace, if il please
not his wicked neighborJ We all fer
vently desire peace. We differ widely,
let us hope sincerely, as 10 the means
whereby to assure il.
If ever We be unhappilY forced 10 fight
in our own defense, the methods oil
frightiulness now used >by Germans on
land and sea-practiSeo even against
non- combatants and neutrals-will con-
stitute the savage rules under which We
must fight because they will be the un-
protested precedenls that govern. That
is the meaning OF our failure 10 protest
against GermanY's violations oil interna-
tional law IN her aggressions against neu-
trails and in her resort suifocaling gases,
liquid fire and submarine piracy against
her enemies.
Meanwhile, there are many Americans
who seem TO think that mere wish or
profession on their part may change the
nature OF men. As pacifcists, they op-
pose military preparation. Men being as
they are, that policy would invite aggrcs-
sicn, while paralysing our power OF de-
tense. II war came, We should see our
sons and brothers bleed in vain, while
our sisters, daughters, wives and aged
parents would undergo those last horrors
now experienced BY the unoffeuding
BelgianS. Bandits and burglars treat
with cynical scorn the Sunday school
moralist, yet practise a wholesome fe-
spect for those protected by an effective
constabulary. UnhappiIy, there are still
national bandits and burglars who act by
simila motives anc respect no other re-
straints.
Personally, wss deeply disappointed
by President Wilson at The outbreak of
the war, when he enjoiued on US TO be
"neutral in thought" 1t was for him. as
our official representative, to take the
lead in explaining to the plain citizen the
significance OF this world crisis and the
line OF our interest concerning If. BY
such leadership he would have unified
the people in support OF a patriotic ma
tionaI policy, and thereby have precluded