The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-03
WILSON'S MESSAGE.

WILSON'S MESSAGE.
President Wilson's address is the
articulated patriotism of great ma
ton. There is no rancor; no playing
to the galleries: no jingoism; no lust
for war, but an emphatic insstence
that the American people prepare to
defend their rights.
He touches the nub of the situa-
ton in this:
properties can be paid for; the
lives of peaceful and innocent people
cannot be-" -.
This in few simple words differ.
entiates the infractions of Germany
against international and moral laws
from the violations of the Allies.
Our immediate participation in the
war, of course, will be limited, but
we son .sput power behind the arms
Of tie Allies by extension Of credit,
naval assistance and in sending war
supplleHy thus releasing thousands Of
men in the allied countries now, fore,
ed to do their bit in the factories and
behind the, pillow. NJ a., s.l.sts ~.
President Wilson wisely declares
for a union Of democracies against
>autocracies. His tribute to Russia is
significant coming from America,
which has offered a haven for the op.
pressed of all nations
The nature of our participation in
the warts left for Congress to deter
mine,l but the President does not
mince words when he urges "practi.
cal cooperation
That is comprehensive term and
prepares the American people for any
eventuality. President Wilson is con-
WINGED that the time has passed for
halfway measures This is to be no
shaking of the fist first and the finger
afterwards.
It means action. 1t means the
United States is prepared to retain
her traditional place among the ma
tons of the world as the champion
of right. 1t means that paciists must
put their country above their hobby
But if anyone is in doubt what this
momentous message means he should
weigh we'll these words:
+, THE Allies are in the field and we
should help them in every way to
be effective there
u Just what that way is to be, is for
our military officials to decide. Eu'
President Wilson in this hour needs
the best brains obtainable. Political
considerations should be waved aside
Men like Root, Taft. Fisher, Roose-
velt, Knox and others should be sum-
moned and given portfolios in coali-
ton cabinet.
This is essential to success.
American citizens of German birth
will find comfort in these words:
"We have no quarrel with the Ger
man people. We have no feeling to-
ward them but one of sympathy and
friendship. 1t was not upon their i'm
pulse that their government acted in
entering this war;
There is nothing racial in our atti-
tude. 1t is fundamental and vindicat-
ed by a long, dastardly and bloody
attack directed under the guise of
friendship, not by the German peo-
pie, but by the Prussian dynasty that
still CANDLES with human souls; that
uses medieval methods; that steels
itself against progressive thought,
holding free loving people in bond
age.
1t is to be a union of democracies
against autocracy, drunk with fan
cied power.
Eut whafof the future?
The stand now taken imposes an
obligation that, is going to put our
to the acid test. Let
ali take these words of Wilson to
heart:
'tTf there should be disloyalty,a it
will be dealt with firm hand of
stern repression; but if it lifts its
head at all, it will lift it only here
and there, without countenance ex-
cept from a lawless and malignant
few"
!. u ..EnClaad: > The. men fight aal
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