New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-30


no longer. In the light of events we
could read the past and see that for
quarter of a century the absorbing
ambitions of the military oligarchy
which was the master of the German
Empire, was for world domain. Every
agency in the fields of commerce. in
dustry, science and diplomacy had
been directed by the German Govern
ment to this supreme end. Philoso-
piers and preachers taught that the
destiny of Germany was to rule the
world, thus preparing the mind of the
German people for the time when the
mighty engine which the German
Government had constructed should
crush all opposition and the German
Emperor should rule supreme.
For nearly three years we have
watched the conduct Of the Imeprial
Government and we have learned
more and more of the character Of
that Government and of its aims. We
came very slowly to realizing sense
that not only was the freedom of the
European nations at stake. but that
liberty throughout the world was
threatened by the powerful autocracy
which was seeking to crafty it's vast
ambition.
Not impulsively, but with delibera-
ton, the American people reached the
only decision which was possible from
the stand point of their national safe
ty. Congress declared that state of
war existed between the United States
and the Imperial Government of Ger
many, and this country united with
the other liberal nations of the earth
VIII oh, To
erect on the ruins Of democracy a
world empire greater than that Of
Greece or Rome or the Caliphs
Saving World for Democracy.
"The president has said, with won
derful ability which he has to express
APPLY great thought in a single
phrase, that the world must be made
safe for democracy In that thought
there Is more than the esta blishment
of liberty and self-government for all
nations; there is in it the hope of
enduring peace.
Il do not know in the annals Of
history an instance where people,
with truly democratic institutions,
have permitted their government to
wage war of aggression, a war Of
conquest Faithful to their treaties,
sympathetic with others seeking
self-development./ real democracies,
whether monarchial or republican in
their forms of government, desire
peace with their neighbors and with
all mankind.
Were every people on earth able
to express their will there would be
no wars of aggression, and, if there
were no wars of aggression, then
there would be no wars, and lasting
peace would come to this earth. The
only way that people can express
their will is through democratic insti-
tutlons Therefore, when the world
is made safe for democracy, when
that great principle prevails, uni
versal peace will be an ACCOMPLISHED
fact.
mo nation or people will benefit
more than the United States when TO
time comes. But it has not vet come
A great people, ruled in thought and
word as well as in deed by the most
sinister government Of modern times,
is straining every nerve to supplant
democracy by the autocracy which
they have been taught to worship.
when will the German people
awaken to the truth? When will
they arise in their might and cast
off the yoke and become their own
masters? I fear that it will not be
until the physical might of the
united democracies Of the world has
destroyed forever the evil ambitions
Of the military rulers of Germany and
liberty triumphs over it's arch enemy
And yet in spite of these truths
which have been brought to light in
these last three years, 1 wonder how
many Americans feel that our democ-
racy is in peril, that our liberty needs
protection, that the United States is in
real danger from the ma glinant forces
which are seeking to impose their will
upon the world, as they have upon
Germany and her deceived allies.
Let us understand once for all that
this is no war to establish an abstract
principle Of right. 1t is a war in which
the future of the United States is at
stake. If any among you have the
idea that we are fighting others bat
ties and not our own, the sooner he
gets away from that idea the better
it will be for him, the better it will
be for all of us.
America Next On List.
Imagine Germany victor in Eu-
rope because the United States re-
NAMED neutral Who, then, think
you, would be the next victim of
those who are seeking to be masters
of the whole earth? Would not this
country with its enormous wealth
arouse the cupidity of an impover-
ished, though triumphant, Germany?
Would not this democracy be the
only obstacle between the autocratic
rulers of Germany and their supreme
ambition? Do you think that they
would withhold their hand from SO
rich prize?
Let me then ask you, would 1t be
easier or wiser for this country single
handed to resist a German Empire