The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-04-05

tlHiutHlS tildl tlt lhNu bt4NHh
tae individual citizens Of eiyn.zed
states
We have no quarrel with the Ger
man people. We have no feeling to-
wards them but one of sympathy and
friendship. 1t was not upon their In
pulse that their government acted in
entering this wal II was not with
their previous knowledge or approval.
German People Not Consulted in War.
1T was war determined upon as
wars used to be determined upon in
the old. unhappy DAYS when peoples
were nowhere consulted by their rul-
ers and wars were provoked an waEed
in the interest of dynasties or of little
groups of ambitious men who were ac-
customed 10 use their fellow.men as
pawns and tools
"A steadfast concert for peace can
never be maintained except by part
ncrship of democratic nations No
autotratie government could be trust.
ed TO keep faith within or observe its
covenants. Ii must be league OF
honor. a partnership of opinion. In
ftrigue would eat its vitals away; the
plottings of inner circles who could
plan what they would and render ac-
count TO no one wosld be a corruption
seated at its very heart Only free
peoples can hold their purpose and
their honor steady To a common end
and prefer the interests OF mankind
20 any narrow interest of their own
Germany Had Spies Here Before
War.
The autocracy that crowned the
summit of her political structure. long
as ii had stood and terrible as was
the reality of its power, was not IN
i fact Russian in origin. character or
purpose, and now II has been shaken
off and the great. generous Russian
people have been added in all their ma
tive majesty and might to the forces
chat are fighting for freedom IN The
world. for Justice and for peace Here
is TT partner tor a lcgeue Of honor
One of the things that has served
10 convince us that the prussian an.
tocraey was not and could never be
our friend is that from the very out.
set OF the present war il has filled
our unsuspccfng communities and
even our offices of government with
spies and set criminal lntfieues every.
whore afoot against our national unity
Of council, our peace within and with
out. our Industries and our commerce
"Eyen in checking these things and
trying 10 extirrefe them We have
sought 10 put the most generous IN.
teTpgetatton possible upon them. he
eause we know thai their source lay.
not in any hostile feeling OF purpose
Of the German people towards rs twho
We're no doubt. as ignorant of them
as We ourselves were1. hut only in III,
selfish designs OF government that
did what Il pleased and told its people
nothing. But they have played their
part in serving to convince Us at least
that that government cntcrtains no
real friendship for It's and means To
ae' against our peace ana security It
its convenience That II means To stir
up enemies against us al our very
doors. the intercepted note to the Ger.
man minister nj MEXICO City is elo
quent evidence.
Can Never Be Friend OF Germany
We are accepting this challenge OF
hostile purpose because We know that
in such government. following such
methods. We can never have a friend.
and that in the presence OF its organ.
+ lied power, always lying in wait to
accomplish We know not what pur-
pose. there can be no assured secur-
! ity for the democratic governments OF
the world
viii Deal Firmly With oisloyaity.
III there should be disloyalty. il will
be dealt with with firm hand Of
stern repression. but II II lifts its head
at all II will lift II only here and there
and without countenance except from
a lawless and malignant few
i IT is distressing and oppressive
duty, gentlemen OF the Congress.
which | have performed in this ad-
dressing you There are. il may be.
many months of fiery trial and sacri.
fee ahead OF us. II is a fearful thing
to lead this great peaceful people into
war, into the most terrible and disas-
trous OF all wars. civilization itself
seeming 10 be in the balance But
the right is more precious than peace,
+ and We shall fight for the things
which We have always carried nearest
our hearts for democracy for the
right OF those who submit 10 authority
To have voice in their own govern.
ments. for the rights and liberties of
small nations, for a universal domin-
ion OF right by such a concert OF free
peoples as shall bring peace and safe
/ ~ to all nations and make the world
itself at last free
TO such task We can dedicate
our lives and our fortunes. everything