Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-06
The President Speaks
The Nations Mind.

President wilson's address TO Congress Is
dispassionate but overwhelming indictment OF Ger
man autocracy and a carefully-weighed, conpre 5
hensive recommendation of the course the cni i
States should pursue. II speaks out the convictions
that burn deep and high in the AmerlSan heaI''
sets forth the purpose and spirit that VIII sulde IS
republic in entering the war as deiender UL i nv
erty and right. IL is message or lncalculaDls IN
port not only TO America but TO all the world not
only 10 the present crucial hour, but TO the cen
turtles TO come. ,..
makes clear is nothing less than war against man
kind II respects nation, no law no prlnclpie
or instinct OF humanity.
their cargo. their destination, their errand'
have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom with
ont warning and without thought OF help or
marcy for those on board, the vessels OF
friendly neutrals along with those OF bellg-
erents Even hospital ships and ships carrying
relief TO the sorely bereaved and stricken peo-
ME OF Belgium though the latter were proVld-
ed with safe conduct through the prescribed
areas by the German government user ana
were distinguished by unmistakable marks OF
identify have been sunk with The same reck-
less lack OF compassion or of principle.
Because Americans women and children; as
veil as men-have been victims Of this ruthless
ness the United States has especial and particular
cause TO bring the German Government TO Iuli
accounting. But in vindicating It's own rights Lhe
United States will be acting as a champion OF nu-
man rights for all peoples. II will be contendlng
for vastly than the merely legal rlght OF It's
ships to travel the high seas in safety and freedom
the forces OF lawlessness and tyranny which the
HohenzoIlern monarchy representsS
We could not. IL would, escape the state OF
war which Germany has thrust upon us. There is
one choice as the President declares, which we
. cannot make. which we ARE incapable OF MAKING
I've will not choose the path of submission
and suffer the most sacred rights of our nation
and orr people TO be ignored and violated.
The wrongs against which we now array our
selves are no common wrongs; they cut TO the
very roots OF human life.
Thus forced to accept the gage OF battle, the
fnted States must exert all its power ana employ
all its resources military and economic alike, TO
bring the Government Of the German empire 10
terms and to end the war.
In urging the most vigorous and most aggressive
measures that can be undertaken and the broadesl
ro-operation with the Allies that Is feasible, the
president expresses the sentiment as well as the
practical conviction Of the country. Once In the
war il should be our purpose 10 strike as swiftly
and effectualy We can.
After two years of unexampled patience ana
forbearauce our Government is compelled In honor
and duty TO abandon neutrality and array itself
With the worlds great democracies in their struggle
against ruthless autOCracy and despotism. Peace
loving though IL is the United States enters upon
This solemn mission without hestancy, now that
the issue is unavoidable, and with the sustaining
consciousness that il has selfish ends TO serve,
M material conquest to seek, bitterness toward
anv peopIe no other ends than its own honor and
right and the liberty and lasting peace OF mankind
When Germany runs out OF plots she starts