Licking Valley courier., 1917-03-15


And for it's Flag I'll ever stand"
That war is terrible horrible thing to contemplate
and especially the modern war; denies, and the
trance of the United States into the struggle that's rend
ing the Old World matter Of deep to every
citizen of America,
But because we abher war we should not allow that
adherence to make disoya to our country if war
forced upon u.s. In this crisis the President should not be
thought of as Democrat Republican but as an Amer
can who is the Chief Executive Of the Nation and patri
ot And here let remember that the greatest proof of
the wisdom of the who planned and founded gov
enment that every President elected from Washington
to. Wilson inclusive, has been big mentally and al
patriot. The selection OF our greatest men has demon
strated that man is capable Of self government.
Woodrow Wilson is not just the representative of one
political partyhe is the President of all parties and the
whole people, AS such he is entitled to the support of all
American citizens. Every well informed man knows that
he has exered every power at his command to keep at
peace with the world But the conflict is inevitable We
will be forced into the world because of holding
to the the theory of popular government for in its last
analysis this is the deciding struggle between the two
theories OF government and autocracy In
this age when the genius of has brought the human
family into such close relations that national isolation is
impossible becomes evident that the struggle to the
death between democracy and absoutism is on What
ever may have been the Immediate causes that precipat
supremacy between monarchy and democracy It's result
will decide whether the people will rule whether they
will be ruled by potentates claiming authority by Divine
right whether the teachings of the brotherhood of man
shall be worldwide whether the world shall continue
as armed camps of hostile foes If democracy winsand
it Wilt uncrownng the kings, disarmng the ma
items and establishing eternal peace If absoutism and
mlitarsm should win it would mean the abolition of the
democratic form of government and the enthroning of
kings over all free peoples.
This struggle between these antagonstic ideas of gov
ernment bound to 1t could have been averted
in way by the voluntary abdication of power by
the monarchs And in the clash between democracy and
monarchy is it conceivable that the first nation to estab
ish republic could stay out of that fight The perpetui-
ty of OUR government in its present form depends upon
the result Of this Either democracy or monarchy
will dominate the world They too antagonisc to ex-
list side by side and one must supplant the other
Unless Germany abandons her policy of ndserimnate
murder the high seas, unless America craveny ad
mts that she is too cowardy defend her rights fort
night hence will find this nation at with Germany
With this certainty before US rea genuine American
citizens will their criticism of the administration anC
forget partisan feeling in zeal for their country
In ordinary times when parties are maneuverng fo
political position there is harm in the outs criticsne
the ns but now when national danger threatens from
without the only thought should be that the President
the cordial support of the leaders of both parties in Con
gress. Mr. Hughes whom Mr.. Wilson defeated is a tru
American and says Stand by the President" l take
for granted that is force of habit formed in the recen
campaign that caused group of Republicans to condemn
the President last Saturday night because he sought
protect American citizens. And trust that when actus
hosttes begin that these will at least cease to tai
in favor of Germany.
We must cease idle talk. The situation is grave il
deed. If war cannot be averted every American ctze
his whoehsared allegiance to his country and it
strange that an appeal to patriotism is needed.
To what extremes the war may bring us no one ca
tell, but whatever it may be the country has the right
ckxpect your hearty good will and encouragement in
events and your services if needed.
But know that when the first German gun is fire
at Old Glory and state of actually exists that the
men who are now criticsng the administration will be
loyal any, and they should refrain from criticism no
\ when duty bids them voice only patriotic thoughts
My country right, but right or wrong my country!