Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-03

| trying to cNtirpate them we hav,
sought to put the most generous in
| tetpretation possible upon then he
cause we knew that their source lay
not in any hostile feeling or purpos,
/ OF the German people towards us (wh.
were. no doubt as ignorant Of them ~
we ourselves were): but only in III,
! SeihSh designs Of government that
did what il pleased and told its PEG
| pie nothing. But they have playct
| their part in serving to convince US
at last that that government enter,
tains no real friendship for us and
means to act against our peace and
security at its convenience. That IT
means to stir up enemies against us
at our very doors the intercepted note
to the German minister at Mexico CITY
is eloquent evidence.
we are accepting this challenge
of hostile purpose because we know
that in such government. following
such methods, we can never have a
fpicnd: and that in the presence of
it's organized power. always lying i'm
wait To accomplish we know not what
purpose. there can be no assured Sc
rurity for the democratic governments
of the world.
We are now about to accent gauge
OF battle with this natural foe to
liberty. and shall. if necessary. spend
the whole force OF the nationJto check
ana hullifN it's pretenSions and its
power We are glad now that we
see the fects. with no veil of false
pretense about them. TO hgh, thus
for the ultimate peace Of the world.
and for the liberation Of it's peoplcs.
the German peoples included: for the
rights OF nations great and small and
the privilege of men everywhere to
choose their way of life and of obedi-
ence. The world must be made safe
uelnOcr8cN Ia.
planted upon the trusted foundations
of political liberty.
hut ONE OF CHAMPIONS
OF RIGHTS OF MANkIND
We have no selfish ends to serve.
We desire no conquest, no dominion
we seek no indcmnitics for Ourselves.
no material compensate for the sac
rihces We shall freely make We are
but one of the champions of the rights
or mankind. We shall be satisfied
when those rights have been as Sc
cure as the faith and the freedom OF
the nations can make them.
lust because we fight without ran
cour ana without selfish objects. seek
ing nothing for ourselves. hut what
we shall wish to share with all free
peoples. we shall feel confident. con-
duct our operations as bolliSerents
without passion. and ourselves observe
with proud punctilio the principles of
right and of fair play we profess 10
he fighting for
have said nothing Of the govern
ments allied with the imperial gov
"rnmcnt of Germany because ih"y have
not made war upon us or challenged
us TO defend our rights and our honor
The Austro Hungarian government has
indeed aNowed its unqualified indorsc-
'"eht ana acceptance Of the reclile
ana lawlcSs submarine warfare adopt
g" now without disguise by the i'm
periai German government. and it has
therefore not been Dossibl. Tor this
government to receive Count Tar
nowSki. the ambassador recently uc-
created TO this government by the i'm
perfal and royal government Of Aus
IRA hungary; but that government
mas not actually engaged in warfare
against citizens of the United states
on the seas. and ! take the liberty.
Tor the present at least. Of postpon-
inG discussion Of our relations with
he authorities AT Vienna We enter
thIS war only where we are clearly
forced INTO II because there arc no
othcr means Of defending our rights.
II VIII be all the easier for us 10
conduct ourselves as beligerents i'm a
high spirit OF right and fairness. be-
cause We act withou; animus. no, in
ehmitE towards people or with the
""S'r" 10 bring any injury or diSad-
vantage upon them but only in armed
opposition to an irresponsible uovern-
'nent which has thrown aside all con-
S'deratlonS Of humanity and Of right
and is running amuch
REMAIN SINCERE FRIENDS
OF GERMAN PEOPLE
We are, let me say again. he sin
c"re friends OF the .ierman peopl. and
snail desire nothing SO much as the
carly re-establishmen OF intimate re-
IationS OF mutual advaniacr be,w.op
"A ri
for the time being. to believe thar ,bia
Is spoken from our hearts We have
borne with their present rovernneu;
through all these bitter months No
cause OF that neutrality-suspicious. :.
patience and foraearancc which would
otherwise have been ilnposSible w.
snail. happily. still have an opportunity
TO prove that friendship in u,n. daily
attitude and actions towards IN. mil
mons OF men and women Of German
birth and native sympathy vino liy.
amongst us and share our life, ana
We snail be proud TO prove i, towards
all who arc in fact loyal TO their ucipb
horS. and to the government i'm tho
hour of test They are most of then,
as true and loyal Americans as If they
had never known any other fealtv or
allegiance. They Will he prompt TO
stand with us I'm rebuking and restrain
ing The few who may be of a diff
'''ho 'iiu purpose lf there
should he diSloyalty. il VIII be dealt
with with firm hand Of stern re-
preston: but, il it lifts it's head at
ana, II VIII lift il only here and there
ana without countcnancc. except from
lawlcss and malignant few.
IT Is distressing and oppressiys
dutE, gentlemen OF the Congress. which
l nave performed in thus addressing
yen There are. il may be. MANY
months OF fiery trial aud sacrifice ahead
OF us II is a fearful thing 10 lead
this great peaceful people into war.
INTO the most terrible and disastrous
OF All wars. civilization itself SEEMING
to be in the balance i$ui the right
is more precious than peace. and We
shall fight for the things which We
/ have always carried nearest our
hearts--for democracy. for the right OF
those who submit 10 authority 10 hay.
a voice in their own governments for
the rights and liberties OF small ma
tons, FOR q universal dominion Of
( right by such a concert of free neo
Piles as shall bring peace and safety
to all nations and make the world a.,
self ut last free. TO such task we
can dedicate our lives and orr for