Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-12

United States has been questioned. Az
great as this issue is. 1t Is a fact that
this war Is to determine the triumph
Of the democracy of the world, which
democracy was born with the United
States, It first being a question as to |
whether or not 1t would survive but |
since democracy was determined here
Its progress has been onward until now
Russia has caught the flame and this |
war cannot come to a close until the |
principles of democracy are planted at |
the very threshold of Germany. It has |
been a long time since the United States |
was thoroughly wrought UP but there |
IL such a thing as too much peace, |
prosperity and contentment. It IL men
who are accustomed to travel under
the folds Of their country's flag who
learn to love and admire It. and the
present condition does nothing more
than instill a real understanding and
love for "old glory" loved by some ma
tions. feared by others. but respected
by all. the suffering inflicted will not
be in vain. Let 1t be remembered that
the United States is now in this fight
and that the United States must win.
A brief abstract of the address of
Colonel Mimms, who was next called upon
by the mayor follows:
Col. John H. Mimms said 1t was a
most gratifying thing to every lover OF
his country. to know 1t had at last taken
a position consistent with it's greatness.
For two years We had suffered injustice
and wrong and aggression from the
hands of the autocratic Prussian govern
ment. or rather one autocrat-the Kaiser.
1t was time We allied ourselves with
those nations who were to-day fighting
the battle for freedom and democracy.
II we had continued to allow unanswered
Prussian aggressions, We should have be-
Titled ourselves among the nations Of
the world. OF all the calamities to which
a great nation can subject itself none
are more to be deprecated or more TO
be Stunned than those which follow
from a supine submission to insult. In
Justice and wrong with the consequent
loss Of national honor and self-respect.
The fight We are to make is for cause
principle-such as animated the
Spartans at Thermopyle. the Dutch in
their struggle against Spain. the men
Of Cromwell and Ireton, the men Of
Lexington and Bunker HILL the men Of
Antietam and Gettysburg; the men Of
San Juan Hill. The guage of battle was
accepted this morning by Congress;
tho joint resolutions approved by the
President, to-day When we have decided
upon q course Of action that calls for
sacrifice in treasure and blood in behalf
Of freedom and democracy. on what
better day Of all days could the die have
been cast. than on that day on which we
commemorate the great divine sacrifice
for humanity-Good Friday!
"In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was
born across the sea,
with q glory in his bosom that trans
figures You and me,
"As he died to make men holy, let us die
to make them free.
While God is marching on"
President Benton. who next spoke.
stated the purr ose of the meeting. which
was held to offer assurances Of support
to the national government and renew
allegiance to the Vermont National
Guard. the members Of the regular army,
the State government. national govern
ment, the President of the United States
and Old Glory itself. From the time
Of Ethan Allen to the present period in
1917, Vermont and patriotism have been
synonyms. At all times when war existed
between this country and foreign foe.
Vermont has given freely Of her man.
hood and at the time Of the Civil War this
| State gave a larger percentage Of the
men called for than any other State In
the Union. Burlington. then with a popu-
lation Of about 5000. gave 900. The Uni
versity Of Vermont has always cooper
ated with the city and State at the times
Of war. last June three companies Of the
State militia starting from the campus
Of the university. Finding ourselves fac
ing a national crisis. we now belong tc
the universe and are involved in finding
the proper answer to existing conditions
Two months ago we might have beer
undecided as to how we felt but now Il
must be America over ALL" The day.
of carping criticisms are gone: we nc
Longer have a democratic President a.
Washington. President Wilson now beins
President of the United States with thu
destinies Of all in his keeping. We hav'
an opportunity to profit by the expert
ences Of other nations. and we must with
deliberate but sure patriotism find how
best we can serve the cause.
Postmaster Burke spoke of the gather
ing as history repeating itself. The spiri
80 manifest at the meeting. the spirit o
patriotism, may well be called the ma
, TONS shield in the hour Of danger. Their,
comes a time in nations history whel
patience ceases to be virtue and afte
| suffering indignities for two years. tina
hour has now arrived and the strife II
support of humanity and democratic in
| situations must be taken up. France an,
England have fought for principles whicl
, we can uphold so that a French or nng
, |lish victory has been as much an Ameri
can victory. We are therefore enterin,
Z this war in self-defense. We must no
: lsheathe our swords until Prussianism
! lplaced where 1t can never again distur
, 1.-The peace of civilization or menace tn
) existence of democratic governments.
The Rev. Mr.. Davenport, in brief, said
ii Let US not for moment think tina
1 I'VE are not at present facing the mos
. terrible experience the American peopl
y ever have been brought to face. w
I know not the outcome. but we do kno,
' that while we pray for victory our foe
: will be praying to the same God, bu
we are willing to leave 1t all to Eir
o because we so firmly believe In our caus.
: No one wants war. a thing to be hatet
but the time comes when. unless we tax
r up the spirit of sacrifice of Jesus Chris
we will fail in higher things In lii.
4 That sacrifice was manifest on the pal
Of little Belgium when quickly mobiliz
v ing his men. King Albert took stand be
: tween Germany and Paris, which surel
Z must have been taken. We are also f1eht
a ing for the rights Of the German peopl,
v that the autocracy Of Prussianism may b
: abolished. Unless We can make an ar
. peal to the German people this war ca
n never be won on the principles of NOR,
I democracy. 1t is hard for some to sc
. that It 10 Chrisian-like to fight, but II y