Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-03-07

sity of definite action may come at
any time, if we are In fact, and not in
word, merely, ready to defend our ele-
mentary rights as a neutral nation. It
would be most imprudent to be unpre-
pared
Il cannot in such circumstances be
unmindful of the fact that the expi-
| ration term of the present congress
is Immediately at hand by constitu-
tional Limitation, and that 1t would in
all likelihood require an unusual
length of time to assemble and organ
ize the congress which is to succeed 1t.
II feel that / ought, in view Of that
| fact. TO obtain from you full and i'm
mediate assurance Of the. authority
which / may need at any moment to
| exercise.
NO doubt already possess that
authority without special warrant OF
law by the plain implication of my
| constitutional duties and powers; but
| | prefer, in the present circumstances,
not to act upon general implication.
| wish to feel that the authority and
the power Of the congress are behind
me in whatever 1t may become neces-
sary for me to do.
/ Must Act Together
we are Jointly the servants Of the
| people and must act together and in
| their spirit, SO far as we can divine
and interpret ii. No one doubts that
/ it is our duty to do so.
Eve must defend our commerce and
the lives Of the people in the midst
of the present trying circumstances,
| with discretion but with clear and
steadfast purpose. Only the method
and the extent remain to be chosen
upon the occasion, if occe sion should
indeed arise.
since it has unhapplly proved i'm
possible 10 safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against the
unwarranted arrangements they are
suffering at the hands of Germany,
there may be no recourse but TO armed
neutrality, which we shall know how
to maintain and for which there is
abundant American precedent.
Hopes TO Avoid War.
at is devoutly to be hoped that IT
Will nor be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The
American people 20 not desire Ii. and
our desire is not different from theirs.
am sure that they viii understand
the spirit In which l am acting, the
purpose hold nearest my heart and
ieh IL, z
do.
Il am anxious that the people of
the nations at war also should under
stand and not mistrust US. hope that
| need give no further proofs and as
surances than l have already given
throughout nearly three years Of anx-
ious patience that am the friend OF
peace and mean to preserve It for
America SO long as am able
81 am not now proposing or CON
templatng war or any steps that need
! lead 10 Il. I merely request that you
win accord me by your own vote and
/ definite bestOwal the means and au-
/ thority 10 safeguard In practice the
right Of a great people who are at
+ peace and who are DESTROYS Of exer-
cising none but the rights Of peace TO
follow the pursuits OF peace in quiet
| ness and good wiIl-riQhts recognized
time out Of mind by all the civilized
nations Of the world.
War Only for WIlIful Act
mo course Of my choosing or OF
theirs win lead to war. War can come
only by the willful acts and agrees
sicns Of others.
IT believe that the people will be
willing to trust me 10 act with re-
strant. with prudence and IN the true
spirit Of amlry and good faith that
they have themselves displayed
throughout these trying months, and
It is In that belief that I request that
/ you will authorize ne 10 supply our
merchant ships with defensive arms
should that become necessary. and
with the means Of using them. and 70
employ any other instrumentalities or
methods that may be necessary and
adequate to protect our ships and our
people in their legitimate and peace
full pursuits on the seas.
II request also that You will grant
me- At the same time. along with the
powers ask, a sufficient credit 10 en-
able me TO provide adequate means OF
protection where they are lacking. In
/ Guiding adequate insurance against
+ the present war risks
Speaks for Human Rights
I II have spoken Of our commerce and
+ Of the legitimate errands Of our
/ people on the seas. but you will not be
uislad as to my main thought. the
thought that lies beneath these phrases
/ and gives them dignity and weight It
+ is not Of material interests merely that
/ we are thinking Il is. rather. OF fun
/ damenrol human rights, chief OF all the
right Of life Itself.
II am thinking not only Of rights OF
/ Americans 10 go and come about their
proper business by way Of the sea. but
also of something much deeper. much
/ more fundamental than that. am
/ thinking Of those rights Of humanity
without which there is no civilization.
sly theme is Of those great principles
of compassion and OF protection 'shieh
mankind has sought 20 throw about hu-
man lives. the lives Of noncombatantS,
/ the lives of men who are peacefully at
work keeping the industrial processes
/ Of the world quick and vital, the lives
/ Of women and children and Of those
] B..