Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-15

va in the war was defined by Elihu
Root and labor was pledged by Sam
tsl Gompers to fight until world ter
rortsm had been oyerthrown, at
patriotic rally held here tonight by the
National Security League for the an
bounced purpose Of indicating Chi
.sgo ~ alleged intimat tons Of unpa
trio,igm.
The men who are speaking and
writing and printing arguments
against the war and against every
thing that ~ being done to carry on
the war are rendering more effective
service 70 germany than they ever
could render in the Held with arms
~ their hands declared the former
socre'ary ~ state amid cheers.
n. IL impossible 70 resist the conciu-
sion that tho greater part OF them are
az heart traitors ~ the United States.
As time goes or and the character
~ 'heee acts become more and more
clearly manifest. all who continue to
assist with them must come under the
2-me cortempla ton There are some
v'ho Doubtless do not understand what
'fsS struggle really is"
\. This point the speaker was inter
run'sd -. cries ~ Hello Bilr' and de-
rsi-ei from the 'eyt Of his speech TO
declare
y don't think he understands il.
Pit think he viii some zine"
Declaring that Cen Grant said Let
ge have pcare" only after Lee sur
rendered NJ Gompar~ asserted that
after Kaiserism surrenders, then We,
'oo will have peace
ucd while there ls a Teuton on the
,on ~ France. There must no no
poacc until they arc driven from out
faRed Belgium
Tho presidcn, NJ the American Fed
GRAFTON ~ Labor was interrupted fire.
auentiv ~ applause when he detailed
nlsne laid ~ the government for war
irsuratce Tor soldiers and sailors and
~ attempts 10 make sure that The
e'ardard ~ American life shall! not he
lowered
Judge r4coh NJ Dickinson presided
as chairman in tho absence ~ Coy.
Loudon. who telegra phei his regrets.
Address Of Elihu Root
In defining the attitud. Of citizen to-
varl The conduct of the war and in
cid.ntallv what constituted being a
traitor. Elihu Root said
Tint declaration of war between
-he 'ritcd States and Germany com
TIttolr changed the relations Of all
'fc inhabitants of tho country 70 the
2 hie,' II peace and var
before 'he declara ton every body had
. risht e. discuss whether the United
states ahoud carry on war against Ger
has now been decided by the President
ara Congress not suddenly or rashly but
sGviseIl, after \ lorg DELAY and discus
tion ami patience under provocation, aft
or repeated diplomatic warning to Ger
man known . the whole country.
When such decision has been made
~. drt1es-and therefore he rights-of
All ne people 81 the country Immediately
chang. T. becomes their duty 70 stop
d.scuFrior upon the question decided and
- a.'. ~ proceed Immediately to do every
thnE n Their power - enable the govern
r,rn' m their country TO succeed in tho
par I,on which he country has entered
4 1ation which declares war and goes
on discussing whether il ought 70 have
declared war or not. is impotent. A de-
q
-'sion- rrAdo IN accordance with its own
law hr' must keep on endlessly dis
cti.sirr ,-c question already decided, has
failed ~ tNe fundamental requirements
r. self tr,ornment; and II the decision IS
- max. var the failure to exhibt capac-
,,y 10 -elf government by action Will
irsvi'a bI, r-sult in the loss Of the right
f0r self government
I'M Efter the decision IN favor Of war
the country has ranged itself. and the
ouly svuo loft for the individual citizen
D.. whether he - for or against his coun-
nv. from that time on arguments
arains, the war in which tho country Is
engaged are enemy arguments. Their
srtrt, ie tho spirit Of rebellion against the
government and laws Of the United
states.
Tbs mon who arc speaking and writ
ing and printing arguments against the
war now and against everything that IS
hsinz done - larry on the war, are ron
dering more effective service TO Germany
than they could render in the field. The
purposs or effect az what they are doing
&c So ia n that it is impossible to resist
,te conclusion that the greater part or
them are at heart traitors to the United
states End wilfully seeking To bring about
tho triumph Of Germany and the humilia-
ton and defeat Of their own country.
The same principles apply to the
decision Of numerous questions which
arise in carrying on the war. Any
attempt to discourage volunteering or
10 oppose conscriptiCn is an attempt
t. hinder and cmbarrass the govern
msnt Of the United states in the con-
duct Of the war and &c help Germany
ly preventing our government from
raising armies to fight against her.
Somebody has 10 decide where ar
mics are to fight. The power to make
that decision and the duty to make
Il rest under the Constitution. with
the President as commander in chief.
Anybody who seeks TO stop the execu-
ton ~ the order sending troops to
rance and Belgium is simply trying
10 prevent the American government
from carving on the war successful
". He is aiding the enemies of his
country: and If he understands what
he Is doing. he is n traitor at heart
II is beyond doubt that many of
the professed pacfists, the opponents
at the war after the war has been
entered upon. tho men who are try