Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-02-22
A PATRIOTIC GRAFTON
Awarded Prize in the 0ratorical Con-
test Held by the Alexandria High
School Literary Society.

The following grafton, delivered by
Willard Blewett, of the Alexandra
High school, at the oratorical contest
held by the High School literary So
cietv on, Friday evening, and wnicn
was awarded the prize, is publlshea
by request:
Gentlemen: There was an America
of barharism and pillagiug; there was
a North of disloyalty and later stri1e;
there was a South of slavery and
secession, and there was west OF
Mor,oanism. There was evolved from
+hose stages an America of union and
freedom and peace, unselfish yet
firm, slow to anger yet quick TO ACT
A nation whose worldwide hsn.
has shown, shines now, and shaii
shine eternally. And as her hght
shines SO may her citizens, the rep
resentative body Of that light
though they have been slow to anger
be quick to make the first step TO-
ward avenging this wrong Wronght
them and all other neutrals by a ma
+;on deemed to be their friend but
which has repeatedly rejected their
hand of good will and friendship.
Can you imagine the cause OF the
nresent attitude that Germany mas
81 suddenly assumed toward the
United States? From the role OF a
friend she has, with savage oe-
termination, taken up the robe OF a
raging sea pirate, has cast ASIDE our
friendship. and resolved to make
every neutral nation pay for her own
recklessness, that is if they are fool
}sh enough to submit. The declara-
lion of Germany for policy OF ruth
less submarine warfare proves her
to be- capable of everything that IS
had. Germany, although the strong
est military power in the world at
the time. miscalculated when she de-
c;ded to war with the allies. tlghtlng
with the best that was in her 1or
every inch of ground, and yet find
ing that she was losing out, Ger
MANY has been forced to take the po-
sition Of the bayed hyena that she
= Che saes that her end is not far
off and consequently she cares not
in;the least for the future. The very
timidity of most the neutral natiohs
has been so great as to almost con-
vince Germany that she can COM
mand. them to fight for her without
the least doubt of refusal. 1t is Tor
these reasons, sirs, that Germany
has taken such bold step, IN TACT
de6ed the whole world.
Has the United States right TO
declare war on Germany and is she
justified in doing so? Shall we per-
NIT any nation to defy US to OTTER
resistance TO SuCH q SAoi"o
ternational law, when by so DONG
she trails through the dust our very
existance, treads upon the glorious
Stars and Stripes, in fact, all for
which our forefathers fought SO hard
and against such overwhelming odds y?
Since the sinking Of the Lusitania
Germany has been warned time ana
aaain but without result. Her ac-
lions have all been without excuse.
Do you know that since her deciara-
ton of January 31st- last, Germany
has sent to the bottom of the sea AZ
vessels sailing neutral flags and be-
longing to neutral countries? This
is the worst violation Of international
law that could be dreamed of and
must result in the determination OF
the Teutonic race as nation.
Gentlemen, we are on the verge OF
war and should we desire peace 1t is
practically beyond our reach. The
war with Germany is practically an
ovitable and the result is plain. Never