Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-01
Americas Time to Strike

[ IOW President and Congress resist the
plea of that despairing son and brother.
who calls on his country to avenge the murder
Of his dear ones. this newspaper would not
be able to understand. The bodies Of mother
and sister victims of ruthlessness which
has destroyed 200 American lives. were com
mitted 10 the deep and he who cries aloud
Tor justice is denied the poor boon OF looking
upon their stricken and silent forms 1t is
for us, unless we lost to shame and in
Capable of just and passionate resentment. to
answer this call punish this infamy and take
our appointed place. in Il new Anna geddon,
with the nvincibe forces OF liberty and right
\ hundred and fortytwo years ago there
resoundcd IN old st. Johns Church words
which have made that historic edifice shrine
of American freedom. When Patrick Henry
rose I. speak earlier dcspot had haunted
American rights and spilled American blood.
There is no retreat" lie said. but in sub
mission and slavery. Our chains are already
forged. Their clanking may be heard the
plains OF Boston The next gale that sweeps
from the north will bring the clash of re-
sounding arms. Our brethren arc already
in tho field. Why stand we here idle? What
is it that gentlemen wish? What would they
have: Is life SO dear or peace so sweet az
10 be purchased at the price of chains and
slavery? Forbid it. Almighty Cod"
There is a slavery of the spirit no less
debasing than slavery OF the body. There are
SpiTltual cnalnS OF Sloln cOwarQlce anu slug
gard ease which quite as dsgracefu as
ns material and which bind lost souls
TO more inglorious subsection than do links
of forged and tempered steel. LAS man
thlnketh in his heart. is he" says the
Psalmist. and truer words never penned.
1t Is such chains which Germany prepares
for us and which some Of people would
have us wear. II Is their clanking over the
graves of lost ships which the gales of the
ocean bring to our ears. 1t IS such spiritual
serVitude that threatens us: and the menace
is from within. rather than from without
1t is disgraceful that Congress should
paltcr hesitate. The moderate powers
the President has asked The Times
Dispatch said yesterday, are incommeusurate
with the present need. To deny them,
whether the Inspiration OF that denial be
blind craftsmanship or weak paciism ia
shameful
We cannot retreat. II was possible for us
10 have forbidden people to cross the
lines which German arrogance marked on
Gods seas but We did not take that towards
course. We refused, rather, to concede Ger
many'S claim and asserted our own right.
Through the voice of authority we declared
10 oar nationals that their privilege OF free
| travel on peaceful merchantmen had not
been. and could not be. impaired We issued
to them our passports bearing the seal of
the government TO which they owed allegiance
and which owed them protection.
Shall we forsake the living and ignore the
appeal which comes from the palld lips of
the dead" Shall We declare to the world that
our promise Of protection was an empty
boast and brand our solemn warnings as the
bra ggarts silly threat? Shall we forget our
heritage Of honor and high courage and cast
sccrr on the memories of the great men who
gave us freedom? Shall we inyite-and de.
serve-an eternal infamy? Let the shade OF
Henry answer: Forbid il. Almighty God"
IL the Characterization committee takes i,s