Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-08-10

Eight distinguished Americans
from varied walks of life with but
single thought. And that is-if the
war is won, the responsibility for
winning it rests squarely with the
United States; to win it, the nation
must grid it's loins for battle and
fight as it never fought before; all
other considerations must be sub
merged to that end; fighting that
democracy shall not perish from the
earth, America faces the greatest
crisis in her history; if the Allies are
victorious, her priceless heritage of
freedom and justice is safe; il they
lose the United States will be a sub
ject state of the ruling class in Ger
many.
The eight distinguished Americans
compose the special diplomatic mis-.
sion from the United States to Rus
STA, who spoke at rousing reception
and banquet in their honor at Seattle
last Saturday. That this war is a
serious business in which the United
States must play a decisive part, re-
gardless Of the cost, no matter what
the tax upon her man power and re-
sources, irrespective of the individ-
ual and national sacrifices to be
made, was statement that required
again and again throughout the pro-
gram.
|; Although the members of the
diplomatic mission frankly refrained
from disclosing the results of their
work in Russia, all expressed the
firm conviction that democracy in
that country has come to stay and
that the new republican form of gov
eminent. with equal freedom and
justice for all, will endure.
Welcomed by Governor.
The mission was formally well
coined by Governor Lister. Steady
applause and cheering was the
crowds reception of Senator Root,
the next speaker. A wonderful ora
tor, despite his advanced years, the
Ambassador. for the most part, spoke
in a voice tense with emotion. Now
and again he clenched his fists. On
one or two occasions his voice became
choked with something very near to
q sob.
Senator Root said in part:
I'VE bring back the greatest ad-
miration for the Russians self-con-,
troll and for their ability for concert
ed action. We bring back an abiding
faith that this great, free. self-gov-
erning. democratic government shall
endure.
Truth Of Great War.
I'm Russia. almost within sounh
Of the great guns, believe we got .
little nearer to the truth in this great
war upon which the United States
has now embarked. We see now why
all the world is at war. We see that
for centuries we have been building
up a structure for civilization.
I'VE have fondly believed that the
world was growing better, more hui
name, more just; we have believed
that the old, dark days of tyranny
and cruelty were passing away and
that the nations of the earth had en-
tered into a solemn compact to keep
alive those divine principles under
which we propose to live.
I'VE see now, more clearly than
ever a great military power, a great
military autocracy. proceeding upon
the principles Of the dark and cruel
past, throwing down the gauntlet to
the liberty and civilization OF tho
world. We see Germany repudiate
the rule OF morality among nations
and the faith Of treaties, without
which the society of nations cannot
endure.
Principles Cast Aside.
1--WE see those principles cast aside
with cynical indifference by Germany.
The principles of our fathers must go
down before the march OF THIS Ter
man Moloch unless the manhood OF
America asserts itself in their sup
port. AS surely as the sun shall rise
tomorrow, II this war ends with the
Allies defeated. this country Will De-
come a subject nation.
Before this war is over for u.s.
there will be orphans and there Will
be widowed homes. Many strict sac
rifices will be made; discouragements
will be many and despair. too, may
come-but in the end there will be
great, free country, born in the spirit
of our fathers to carry liberty and
Justice throughout the world.
Don't Argue About 1t.