Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-15
Root Defines Treason
GOmpers Pledges Labor
Chicago Patriotic Rally

, for greater freedom ana pfoduer W
portunities who are swayeG by dis
like for some ally or by the sympathies
of German kinship and fail to see the
time has come for them to make good
| the obligations of their sworn oath
of naturalization.
"An these naturalized citizens who
are taking part in this obstruction
| to the government in the conduct OF
the war are false to their oaths. are
! forfeiting their rights of citizenship,
are regulating their honorable obli-
cations, are requiting by evil the good
that has been done them in the GER
erous and unstinted hospitality with
which the people of the United States
have welcomed them to the liberty and
the opportunities>of this free land.
We must believe that in many cases
this is done because of the failure 10
understand what this war really is
This is a year of defense 1t is per-
fectly described in the words of the Con-
stitution which established this nation
10 provide for the common defense and
TO secure the blessings of liberty to cur
selves and our posterity.' The national
defense demands not merely force. but
!
April the United States awaited itself OF
the very last opportunity to defend Itself
against subsection 70 German power be-
fore IL was too late 10 defend itself SUE
cessfuIly.
PLAINLY. IL the power Of the German
government is to continue, America can
TO longer look for protection 20 the law
o. nations or the faith Of treaties or the
instincts Of humanity or the restraints
Of modern civilization. II America ha1
STAYED out Of the war and Germany had
Won. ,ouId we have defended the Monroe
Doctrineo Could we have maintained our
trdenAadence? For answer consider what
we have been doing since war was de-
cIared. Congress has been in continuous
session. passing with unprecedented ra-
pidity laws containing grants OF power
and Of money unexampled in our history
The people have generously responder
with noble loyalty and enthusiasm TO the
call for the surrender of the money and
the customary rights and the supply OF
raen 20 be Of service to the country
Nearly half a year has passed and still
we are not ready to fight. | am not hlan,-
Ing the government. II was inevitable
Preparation for modern war requires long
periods Of time and the more peaceful
and unprepared for war a democracy IS
the longer is the time required.
The history. the character. the avow-
ed principles of action. the manifest and
undisyuised purpose of the German au-
tocracy made It clear and certain tina,
if America stayed out of the great war
and Germany won. America would forth
with be required to defend herself and
would be Bile to defend herself against
: the same lust for conquest. the same viii.
TO dominate the world. which has made
Europe a bloody shambles
The instinct of the American 6emocra-
cy which led it to act when it did arose
from 4 long-delayed and reluctant con-
seriousness still vague and half expressed,
that this is no ordinary war which the
world s wagng. II is the cl max of the
supreme struggle between autocracy and
democracy. If autocracy is defeated and
nations are compelled to recognize the
rules % law and of morals. then and then
only will democracy he safe.
ITO this great conflict for human rights
and human liberty America has commit
ted herself There can he no backward
step There must be either humiliating
and degrading submission or glorious vic
tory"