Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-02

and Royal government Of Austria
Hungary, but that government has not
actually engaged in warfare against
citizens Of the United States on the
seas and take the liberty for the
present, at least, OF postponing discus
sion Of our relations with the anihor-
ities At Vienna. We enter this war
only where We are clearly forced into
it because there are 10 other means Of
defending our rights.
II viii be ell the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belhgerents in
high spirit Of right and fairness be.
cause we act without snimss, not
enmity toward a people or with the
desire to bnng any Injury or disad-
vantage upon them, but only in armed
opposition 10 an irresponsible govern
ment which has thrown aside all con
sideration of humanity and Of right
and is running amuek. We are, LET me
saw. again, the sincere friends of the
German people and shall desire moth
ing so much as the early re-establish-
ment of intimate relations Of mutual
advantage between us-however hard
! il NAV be for them, for the time beng
to believe that this is spoken from
our hearts. We have borne with their
present government through al these
bitter months because Of that friend
ship-exercising a patience and for
beArance which would otherwise have
been impossible.
! Refers 10 German Citizens.
We shall, happily, still have an opPor-
tunity to prove that friendship IN our
daily attitude and actions toward the
millions of men and women of German
birth and native sympathy who hive
amongst us and share our life, and we
shall be proud to prove it towards all
who are in face loyal to their neigh-
bors and to the government IN the hour
of test They are, most of them, as true
and as loyal Americans as if they had
never known any other fealty or alleg.
lance. They will be prompt TO stand
with us in rebuking and restraining the
few who may be of a different mind
rand purpose. If there should be dis
Iloyalty it win be dealt with with-stern
, rep.ession; but, if it lifts its head at
, ali it will lift it only here and there
and without countenance except from a
lawless and malignant few. II IS dis
tressing and oppressive duty, gentlemen
Of the congress, which L-have perform
ed in thus addressing you. There are,
it may be, many months OF fiery trlal
and sacrifice ahead of us 1t is a fear
full thing to lead this great peaeeful
! lpeople into war, into the most terrible
, and disastrous of all wars, civilization
itself seeming to be in the balance. But
the rights more precious than peace
and we shall fight for the things which
! we have always carried nearest oar
! hearts-for democracy, for the right OF
those. who submit to authority to have
! ! voice in their own governments, fol
the rights and liberties of small nations
for a universal dominion of right by
Isuch a concert of free peoples as shall
bring peace and safety to all nations
I and make the world itself at least free
To such a task we can dedicate oul
! lives and our fortunes, everything thai
! we are and everything that we have
with the pride Of those who know that
!, the day has come when America is priv
Iileged to spend, her blood and her might
Z for the principles that give her birtl
{ and happiness and the peace which sh'
: has treasured.
= God helping her she can do no other