Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-09

VERY EXISTENCE OF
NATION Is At STAKE
Religious, Industrial, Labor, Fraternai
and Professional Men Of Prominence,
Meet to Perfect Organization TO
Acauaint Public With Causes and
Issues Of World War.

out to the American people yesterday
to acquaint themselves with the causes
and the issues of this war.
The word was sent by representatives
of religious, industrial labor fraternal,
professional. financial and other inter-
ests who met here to perfect an organ
ization first proposed at a similar con-
ference here month ago.
Outlines Principles.
The conference adopted the following
declaration Of principles:
In an hour when our nation is fight
ing for the principles upon which it was
founded, in an hour when free institu-
tons and the hopes of humanity are at
stake, we hold it the duty of every
American to take his place on the firing
line of public opinion.
1t is not time for old prejudices
or, academic discussion as to past diff
ferences. Those who are not now for
America are against America.
Our cause is just. We took up the
sword only when international law and
ancient rights were set at naught and
when our forbearance Had been ex-
hausted by persistent deception and
broken pledges.
Aims Are Explicit.
Our aims are explicit, our purposes
unsoiled by any selfshness We de-
fend the sanctities of life, the funda-
mental decenctes of civilization. We
fight for just and durable peace and
that the rule of reason shall be restored
to the community of nations.
I'm this crisis the unity Of the Ameri-
can people must not be impaired by
the voices Of dissension or sedition.
Agitation for a premature peace is
seditious when It's object Is to weaken
the determination of America to see
the war thru to a conclusive vindica-
ton Of the principles for which we have
taken arms.
The war we are waging Is a war
against war, and it's sacrifices must not
be nullified by any truce or armistice
that means no more than q breathing
spell for the enemy.
No Dynastie Peace.
I'VE believe in the wise purpose Of
the president 10: 20 negotiate peace
with any irresponsible and autocratic
dynasty.
I'VE approve the action Of the ma
tional government In dispatching an
expeditionary force to the land of La
fayette and Rochambeau. Either we
fight the enemy on foreign soil, shout
der TO shoulder with comrades in arms.
or we fight on our own soil. backs
against our own homes, and alone.
while this war lasts. the cause of
the allies is our cause, their defeat our
defeat. and concert Of action and unity
in spirit between them and us is essen
tial to final victory. We, therefore. de-
precate the exaggeration of old nation
al preiudices-often stimulated by Ger
man propaganda-and nothing Is more
Important than the clear understanding
that those who in this crisis attack our
present allies attack America.
Rise Above Party.
1--WE are organized in the interests Of
a national accord that rises high above
any previous division Of party. race,
creed and circumstance
'We believe that this is the critical
and fateful hour for America and for
civilization. To lose now is to lose for
many generations. The peril is great
and requires our highest endeavors. II
defeat comes to us thru any weakness,
Germany, whose purposes for world
wide dominion are now revealed. might
draw to itself, as magnet does the
filings. the residuum of world power
and this would affect the standing and
the existence, of America.
I'VE not only accept, but heartily APP
prove the decision reached by the pres
ident and congress of the United States,
to declare war against the common en-
envy Of the free nations, and as loyal
citizens Of the United States we pledge
to the president ana the government
oud undivided support to the very end"