The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-04-07


friendship. l. was not upon their i'm
pulse that their government acted IA
entering this war. II was not with
their previous knowledge or approval.
German People Not Consulted in War.
1T was war determined upon as
wars used to be determined upon in
the old, unhappy days when peoples
were nowhere consulted by their rul-
ers and wars were provoked an wagcd
i'm the interest OF dynasties or of little
groups of ambitious men who We're ac-
customed to use their tellow-men as
pawns and tools
a steadfast concert for peace can
never be maintained except by part
ncrship OF democratic nations. No
autocratic government could be trust
I'd to keep faith within or observe its
covenants. II must be Il league Of
honor. a partnership Of opinion. In
.triguo would eat its vitals away; III"
plortings OF inner circles who could
plan what they would and render ac-
count TO no one would be corruption
seated At its very heart. Only free
peoples can hold their purpos" and
their honor steady to a common end
and prefer the interests of mankind
to any narrow interest Of their own
Germany Had Spies Here Before
War
"Th" autOcracy that crowned the
summit Of her political structure. lou@
as it had stood and terrible as was
/ The reality Of its power. was not in
fact Russian in origin, character or
purpose: and now it has been shaken
of and tn" great, generous Russian
people have been added in all their ma
tive majesty and might 10 the forces
/ that are fighting for freedom in the
world. for justice and for peace. Here
( is fit partner for a le@CUe of honor
"One Cf the things that has served
to convince us that the PruSsian aU-
/ tOcracy was not and could never be
our friend is that from the very out
set OF the present war il has filled
our unsuspocting communities and
even our Offices of government with
spies and set criminal intrigues every
where afOot against our national unity
OF council. our peace within and with
out, our industries and our commerce.
Even in checking these things and
trying to eXtirpate them We have
sought TO put the most generous in
depreciation possible upon them, be-
cause We knew that their source lay.
not in any hostile feeling or purpose
of the German people towards us (whu
were. no doubt. as ignorant of them
as we ourselves were). but only in the
selfish designs of 4 government that
did what it pleased and told its people
nothing. But they have played their
part in serving TO convince us at least
that that government cntertains no
real friendship for us and means to
ac, against our peace and security ~,
its convenience. That it means to stir
up enemies against us al our very
doors, the intercepted note to the Ger
man minister at Mexico City is elo-
qucnt evidence.
Can Never Be Friend of Germany.
We are accepting this challenge of
hostile purpose because we know that
in such government, following such
methods, we can never have a friend:
and that in the presence of its organ
lied power, always lying in wait to
accomplish we know not what pur-
pose, there can be no assured secur-
ity for the democratic governments Of
the world.
Will Deal Firmly With DisIoyaIty.
IF there should be disloyalty. it will
be dealt with with a firm hand of
stern repression: but if it lifts its head
at all it will lift it only here and there
and without countonance except from
a lawless and malignant few.
1T is a distressing and oppressive
duty, gentlemen Of the Congress.
which | have performed in this ad-
dressing you. There are. it may be,
many months of fiery trial and sacri-
flee ahead of us. 1t is a fearful thing
to lead this great peaceful people into
war, into the most terrible and disas-
trouS of all waTs, civilization itself
seeming to be in the balance. But
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 to authority
to have voice in their own govern
mentS, for the rights and liberties of
small nations. for a universal domin-
ion of right by such a concert of free
peoples as shall bring peace and safe
~ to all nations and make the world
itself al last free.
TO such a task we can dedicate
our lives and our fortunes. everything
that We are and everything that we
have. with the pride of those who
know that the day has come when
is privileged to spend her
blood and her might for the princi
pies that gave her birth and happi
ness and the peac" which she has
reasured. God helping her, she can
10 no other"