The Robesonian., 1917-11-29

mands that it be met to the full meas
ure. From the time Congress and
the President thus spoke for us It'll
became the duty, moral and local of
each OF Us to abate nothing that Law
within his power to make our pledge
good Whatever our views, whatever
our sympathleS Heretofore had beer.
the quarrel was now our quarrel. and
we must be true to it in order to be
true to ourselves. That thi. meant
that some of US must break with cher
lshed memories, with friends, home
and kindred, can not matter. So broke
our fathers, who gave us our Eber-
ties; so must we break to preserve
them. The man who is unwilling to
make that sacrifice is unworthy the
liberties he enjoys and is unwslcome
IN our midst. The sovereign people
OF the United States have willed that |
our every available resource of men
and industry must play its part ia |
winning this war and no head is too
high or too low to wish to escape the
heavy hand of our sovereign neces-
sity.
/ Safety in Patriotism.
l have spoken thus far, not of the
legal penalties which attach to OBJ
: struction and disloyalty to this gov
ernment, but of the broad political
and moral elements Of CIR situation
and of the consideration of integrity
and honor which must impel US to 10y
atty to our cause ard compel or ac-
tive aid and support I have done
y this because after all our safety lies
not in penal statutes, but in a real
;, lZing sense of a righteous cause,
: firm resolution to do our full duty.
= and an understanding that we fight
It for the liberties Of ourselves, our fam
: lilies, and our posterity. 1 have pur-
:, posely moved slowly and with caution
IN invoking the strong arm Of the
q law for seeming disloyalty, believing
l. that more mature consideration would
n show the occasional agitator that he
l. was wrong and the rest of us were
e. right. However, I shall not be halt
70 measured in undertaking the control
= of those who persist in their disloyal.
Is ty and schemings against the gov.
y ernment and its purposes.
lie Treason and the Law.
TO The Federal government is not pow
p erless to handle such malcontents
IN Amongst other offenses, it can pros
lr ecute those who willfully make OF
ed convey false reports or false state
IN ments, when the United States is a
y war, with intent to interfere with tn
t. operation or success of the militar,
Y; or naval forces of the Federal gov
1d ernment, or to promote the success
ur of our country's enemies; also thos
r who wilfully cause or attempt t
n cause, insubordination, disloyalty, mu
ne tiny, or refusal of duty. or willfull
obstruct the recruiting or enlistmer
ed service Of the United States;a ;also thos
ed who unlawfully combine or conspir
oil to impede, obstruct, or prevent tn
ed execution of the laws Of the Unite
p States; also those who undertake
It's overawe the officers of the Unite
IL er by direct intimidation or threat
ed OR by injuring their persons or proI
n; erty; also those who engage in 81
Ter dltlous conspiracies to overthrow {
IN levy war against the government {
ie- forcibly oppose its authority.
OF The recently enacted espionage a.
sse is designed, among other things,
:or punish spies, regulate the use of Il
as mails and punish those who abu
that use.
til The provisions of the selective dra
ent act provide punishment for those w
ar. fail or refuse to register, or hinde
w or obstruct the enforcement of tn
has act.
po- Treason defined by the constituti
ov- as consisting only in levying W
ed against the United States, or in g
ow- herring to their enemies, giving the
up aid and comfort) is punishable
has death. and the other offenses me
alb toned by severe and just penaltie
ad- The Federal government can Fl
ont. in existing statutes and others n
cme pending before Congress power
and handle any situation likely to ar
rid, because of the ill-advised activit
of diS1Oval apitators