The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-05-12
AN OPEN LETTER
by DR.. Shastri
May Z, 1917.

washington, IL. u.
Dear Sir Born in India as Brit
ish subject and having settled here
as a free citizen OF this mighty repub.
lie, ] understand to quite an extent
the moral and economic forces that
are inspiring the people in these coun.
tries. While enjoying the privileges
of citizenship. | am enthusiastic to
share the obligations and the respon>
sibilities as we'll. Permit me, there
fore, to make few observations
which, l am confident, are the senti-
ments now stirring the minds of mill
lions of people all the world over at
this critical period of history.
The European catastrophe has al
ready assumed a worldwide aspect.
After three years of waiting and suf-
ferings. this country fully realized the
danger ahead consisting of an ever
increasing menace against the rights
of humanity and boldly cast it's lot
with the nations fighting against the
aEtocratic governments of the Cen
trail Powers With the entrance of the
United States, the whole situation has
been crystallized into an issue, an
ideal and moral principle.
During the brief period OF it's exist
ence, this republic has never been
drawn into any war hut for the justi-
tication of some high ideal of Justice
and humanity. The priceless blood
and the precious treasures spent in
those wars have always been amply re-
paid by the establishment of just
rights No sacrifice is too great for
the vndication OF moral forces, and
now that this country has entered into
war, every citizen understands that it
means business. 1t has increased man
fold the burden OF responsibilities.
The expense of billions of dollars and
the sacrifice Of millions OF men with
out the slightest expectation OF ter
ritorial expansion or gain is eventually
destined to win n glorious victory.
Kingdoms and empires cannot stay be-
fore such dynamic moral force. The
days OF kings, kaisers and cars are
numbered. These ideals foreshadow a
beautiful dawn which will soon usher
in brilliant sun OF a better, nobler
and grander humanity under whose
piercing shafts of light and warmth
will disappear the thick clouds of au-
tocracies that are now Woefully dim
ming the purity of human society;
where the blessings OF light, learning
and equal opportunities will fall with
in the easy reach Of all; where ma
lions differing III language, color and
traditions will unite in Il federation
not for a balance OF power but for an
organized peace; where the benign
hands of liberty will he seen breaking
the ugly chains Of the last slave and
the last autocratic institution, conduc-
ting all people with palm branches in
hand amid cheering hymns of glory
at the last funeral of despotism.
One of the finest results of this IT,
tanic cataclysm is the emancipation
of Russia from her timeworn enthrall-
ment. 1t was al honorable act for
this republic to be the first to recog-
nize it. The leaders of the Russian Re-
public have rightly caught the
glimpses of the forthcoming order.
They have unstintedly granted full au-
tonomy to Finland and have extended
the suffrage to men and women alike
all over the vast empire, carrying the
uplifting message of liberty to the
most illiterate and the backward
classes inhabiting that inhospitable
Siberia. She has already won the
moral support of the whole enliShten
ed world and will, no doubt. declare
10ru Fall tl,D nj a
OF the United States that she has
abandoned her policy OF expansion and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and that she has nc
ambition in grabbing Persia or in nut
tilating China.
Permit me, sir, to quote here some
OF your own words that have been a
constant source of inspiration to the
countless millions now struggling for
their rights everywhere:
IL am proposing, as it were. that
the nations should with one accord
adopt the doctrine Of President Mon
roe as the doctrine OF the world; that
no nation should seek to extend its
policy over any other nation or peo
pie, but that every people should be
lSlI lICC W uCLCl ITO o"Ii lfSiiN.
it's own way of development. unhin
dered. unthreatened. unafraid. the
little along with the great and the
powerful s. am proposing
government by the consent of the
people. No peace can las
or ought to last which does not recog
nize or accept the principle that gov
ernments derive all their just power:
from the consent of the people"
These ideals breathe spirit of free
dom almost equal to that of the DE
claration of Emancipation. 1t hal
startled the people and has worthil!
challenged the admiration of an on
looking world. Countless millions o
human beings now suffering under al,
tocratic governments and pressed
hard by the greedy bureaucracies will
render the air resonant with thei
blessings and benedictions when thes
noble sentiments will be realized il
practice. Hundreds of noble men an