Denver labor bulletin., 1917-04-07
.LABOR'S PROGRAM
IN WAR SERVICE
Continued From Page One,

Continued From Page One.)
ment controlled and conducted by the
people displays its inability to safe
then its doom is sealed. The people
therefore must assume the response
bility for the safety and perpetuity of
our republic.
In the abhorrence of war our labor
movement stands pre-eminent. In
fact, there is cumulative evidence that
the great body of our citizenship is
as much opposed to war as is the
organized labor movement. The reluc-
tance of congress to increase our mill
tary forces on land and sea even in
light of a world war indicates with
clearness the temper of the people
who are responsible for the election
of the members of that body.
But this nation has rights which
are vital to its existence. These rights
are not exclusively confined to its ter
ritorial limits, but in common with
other nations we hold joint rights
upon the high seas. No nation upon
earth can isolate itself from the inter
course of other nations, neither should
there be a desire to do so. Civiliza-
ton progresses in the same ratio as
the intercourse of the various races
are ihduc pOSSlule ne uInsNLC-e OF
racial elements in this country is re-
sponsible for the virility of our pev-
pie, and is the one instrumentality
which has established an equilibrium
in society-clashing racial opinions,
grounded in tradition and former en-
vironment, are conciliated in the open
forum of free governmental institu-
tions.
To establish a government directed
and controlled by the people war with
England, the parent country, became
necessary. A second war of inde-
pendence was forced upon America to
preserve its right to govern itself:
The cost of abolishing slavery and
maintaining the union of states was
war. In the cause of humanity the
people of this country demanded the
war with Spain.
With the military establishments of
this country the most insignificant of
any nation in the world, in comparison
with its size and Importance, our peo-
pie cannot be classed as even in the
slightest degree militaristic. In rising
to the dignity of a world factor new
and added responsibilities must be as
sumed. Ours is a government of, by
and for the people, and it's influence
has been filtering into the minds of
Everywhere strong efforts are either
secretly or openly being carried on to
the~end that the nations of the world
may be democratized. There is de-
vout hope in the breast of every citi-
zen of every republic that this democ-
ratization may be made complete.
The emerging of Russia from the
blackest of autocracies into the sun
light of freedom in the midst of ti-
tanic struggle visualizes the currents
of democracy running amid even the
most oppressed.
But the era has not yet arrived when
the metes and bounds of countries
and the rights Of democracies are uni
versally recognized. At a time when
the world was apparently making
giant strides toward the arbitrament
of international controversies by
peaceful means the most devastating
war in history is shaking the universe
to it's very foundation. This war has
been brought to our doors. In the
light of the events of the last three
years the marvel is that this country
has escaped active participation. The
reluctance to become involved reflects
the spirit and temper of the composite
mass of our citizens; You may search
history from its first written page
and no parallel is to be found to the
forbearance exercised by the American
people in the present struggle.
There comes a time, however, when
| the rights and interests even Of democ-
racies must be asserted. With a for
titude unexampled the American peo-
pie have hoped against hope that this
country would not become involved in
the world conflict, but there has been
a growing sentiment that however
much we desired to avoid participation
the ruthless disregard of our rights
would impel the American people to
demand that they be respected. That
time has now apparently arrived.
War means soldiers and munitions.
In modern warfare any nation involved
must not only mobilize its armies, but
also its industries.
What part is the organized labor
movement to play?
Will it squarely meet the situation
and demand that its voice be heard
not only in the councils of the nation,