Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-04-03
THE BATTLE LINE OF DEMOCRACY
New York Globe.)

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time rights. But this time, besides mari
time rights, there is something bigger and
better. Shall public law exist in the
w0rld3 Shall the evolutionary develop
ment of democracy continue?
For two years naval codes nave been
thumbed, a worthy but not an inspiring
exercise. But the legalistic debate is over.
The special atrocities against Us are not
the disease, merely its symptoms, and it
is the disease that affrights US. The bat
tie line of democracy calls us because the
world needs a new birth of freedom-be-
cause government of, for, and by the peo-
pie must walk unafraid down the ages.
Painful days have passed since a war
raad nation launched against mankind the
greatest national crime Of history. Open
ing his paper the thoughtful American has
daily feared TO read of the end Of the civil
iEatA that he knew and loved. The ma
teria6fies might remain, rich crops might
continue to be harvested, but that fine
compound Of freedom and common right
which Is the precious heritage Of the ages
was threatened. Instincts and traditions
which swell every Americans heart,
though not always present to his con-
sciousness, told him hat his spiritual flu
ture was being determined on the field of
Armageddoa. II military might was to
confer tie only valid title, if the powerful
could suspend the moral law by pleading
the inconvenience of obeying it, he sensed
a cutting off from a great past. lie felt.
as Lowell said in another crisis, we would
'be' forced to splice the ragged ends of
our lives upon whatever new conditions
chance might leave dangling before u.s.
As the subaqueous bell warns the ship cap
tain of approaching danger, so a persist
emit inner tinkling has spoken to us of
what we have need to fear.
Since German troops broke with ravag-
ing fury on the peaceful villages of Bel
GUM and revealed the spirit of the worlds
most powerful empire, present to American
thought has been perception of the Sc
quences ii the monstrous march was not
stayed. For a time America, educated to
consider itself separate, seemed too in
crusted with maxims Of isolation TO react
to the world-peril. But the truth has
steadily, though slowly, eaten its way into
the public mind. Faint nave become de-
clarntions, once boldly uttered, that the
war did not concern u. Strong has be-
come recognition of the v~erities that the
opposers of Germany are fighting our bat
ties that should Germany win Europe will
become Germanized and under the domin-
ion Of rulers who disclaim responsibility
except to gods made after their own like
ness. AT last we seem 10 realize what
sort of yoke would be fitted to our necks
should the democratic powers be overcome
and the crown prince lead an armada
across the waters to instruct us in our
duty toward heaven-commisisoned rulers.
Germany believes in her mission and
supports kaiserism with passionate zeal.
And kaiserism is at vital war with every
American ideal. We may fear it as the lit
tie republics of Greece feared Macedon,
Prnssia's prototype. Americanism and
kaiserism are in irresponsible antagonism.
There IL no foothold for compromise. a
notions growth has arisen and it must be
conquered or it will conquer. Conceive OF
Prussianism drilling 800, 900, 900 Euro
peans and mastering 100000 tons Of
shipping! No imaginary menace confronts
u.s. Tht zimmerman note IL fair warn
ing. Our hope of future peace lies in ally
success. Whether we like il or not their
cause lis our cause. We may shrink from
the word alliance and find excuses for not
doing a manly part in a common labor, bnt
there in the slime Of the trenches are our
prolectofsscr
During the civil war We reproached the
liberals Of Europe for their blindness to
the issues Of our great conflict. The re-
proaches hqre been returned with interest.