The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-06

conquest no dominion. We seek no
mdemnities for ourselves. no material
OF the champions of the rights OF
mankind. We shall be satisfied when
those rights have been made as Sc
cure as the faith and the freedom OF
nations can make them.
Austria Not Menaced.
'T have said nothing of the govern
ments allied with the imperial gov
ernment of Germany, because they
have not made war upon us or chal-
lenged us to defend our right and our
honor. The Austro-Hungarian govern.
ment has, indeed, avowed its unqual
ifed endorsement and acceptance OF
the reckless and lawless submarine
warfare adopted now without disguise
by the imperial German government,
and it has therefore not been possible
for this government to receive Count
Tarnowski, the ambassador recently
accredited to this government by the
imperial and royal government of
Austria-Hungary, but that govern
ment has not actually engaged in war
fare against citizens OF the UniteI
States on the high seas, and | take
the liberty, for the present at least, OF
postponing a discussion of our reia
tions with the authorities at Vienna
We enter this war only where we are
clearly forced into 1t because there
are no other means of defending our
rights.
1T will be all the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belligerents in
high spirit of right and fairness.
because we act without animus, not
in enmity, towards a people or with
the desire to bring aby injury or dis
advantage upon them, but only In
armed opposition to an irresponsible
government, which has thrown aside
all considerations OF humanity and Of
right and is running amuck. We arc.
let me say again, the sincere friends
of the German people, and shall de-
sire nothing SO much as the early re-
establishment of intimate relations
of mutual advantage between us, how
ever hard it may be for them, for the
time being, to believe that this Is
spoken from our hearts.
Our German Citizens.
"We shall, happily, still have an
opportunity to prove that friendship
in our daily attitude and actions to-.
wards the millions OF men and WON.
en- OF German birth and native sym.
patty who live among us and share
our life, and we shall be proud to
prove 1t towards all who are in fact
loyal to their neighbors and to the
government in the hour of test They
are most of them, as true and loyal
Americans as If they mad never
known any other fealty or allegiance.
They will be prompt to stand with us
in rebuking and restraining the few
who may be OF a different mind aid
purpose. If there should be disloyalty
1t will be dealt with with firm nanG
OF stern repression; but, il it lifts its
head at all, it will lift it only here
and there and without countenance
except from lawlcsE and malignant
few
at is distressing and oppressive
duty gentlemen of the congress.
which I nave performed In thus ad-
dressing you There are, 1t may be,
many months Of fiery trial and sacri.
fee ahead of us. 1t Is fearful thing
to lead this great peaceful people into
war into the most terrible and dis
80 nn nj
seeming to be in the balance. But tne
right Is more precious than peace
aud we shall fight for the things
which we nave always carried near.
est our hearts-for democracy. for the
! right of those who submit to author
ity to have a voice In their own gov.
ernments, for the rights and liberties
OF small nations, for a universal do
minion of right by such a concert OF
| free people as shall bring peace and
safety to all nations and make the
, world Itself at last free. To such q
task we can dedicate our lives and
our fortunes, everything that we are
and everything that we have, with
the pride of those who know that the
day has come when America is priv
| ileged TO spend her blood and hei
might for the principles that gave hel
birth and happiness and the peact
which she has treasured. God helv
ing ner, she can do no other"
BERLIN GETS MESSAGE
Will Mot Affect Atfituda of C.rn,,,