The Monticellonian., 1917-11-09

fathing for ourselves bu, what we shall sh to share with all free people. we
 hall l feel con- lent. conduct our oper- tions as belligerents without passion
 nd ourselves observe with proud pune lilo the principles of right and of fair alay we profess to be fighting for.
 have said nothing of the govern aents allied with the Imperial gov rnnent of Germany because they have not made war upon us or challenged Us to defend right and our honor. The Austro-Hungarian government has. indeed. ayowed It's unqualified indorse- ment and acceptance of the reckless md IawIess submarine warfare, adopt d now without disguise by the lmper- lal German government. and h has
 therefore not been possible for this government to receive Count Tarnow- ski. the ambassador recently accredited .o thi. government by the Imperial and Royal government of fAustria-Hungary: but that government has not actually engaged In warfare against citizens of the United States on the seas. and I take the liberty. for the present at least. bf postponing discussion of our relations with the authorities at Vi- enna. We enter this war only where we are clearly forced Into 1t because there are no other means of defending our rights.
 It will be all the easier for us to conduct ourselves as beIIigerents in a high spirit of right and fairness be- cause we act without animus, not with enmtty toward people or with the desire to bring any injury or disad- vantage upon them. but only In armed opposition to m irresponsible govern mcnt which has thrown aside all con- alterations of humanity and of right and Is running amuek.
 We are. let me say again. the sim eere friends of the German people, and shall desire nothing much as the early re-estabIishment of intimate rela- tions of mutual advantage between us, however hard 1t may be for them for the time being to believe that this is spoken from our hearts. We have borne with their present government through all these bitter months be- cause of that friendship, exercising . patience and forbearance which would otherwise have been impossible.
 We shall happily still have an op- pOrtunity to prove that friendship i'm our daily attitude and actions toward the millions of men and women of Ger man birth and native sympathy who live among and share our life, and we shall be proud to prove 1t toward all who are in fact loyal to their neigh bors and to the government in the hour of test. They are most of them as true and loyal Americans as If they had never known any other fealty or aI- leCiance. They will he prompt to stand with us in rebuking and restraining the few who may be of a different mind and purpose. If there should he dis loyalty. it will be dealt with with a firm hand of stern repression; but If It lifts It's head at all. 1t will lift it only here md there and without cOun- tenance except from lawless and malignant few.
 It Is distressing and oppressive duty. gentlemen of the congress. which have performed in thus addressing you. There nre, 1t may be. many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. IL is a fearful thing to lead this great. terrible and disastrous of all wars, civ ilizatfon 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 hesrts-for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have n voice in their own govern ments, for the rights and liberties of small nations. for universal d0miniOn Of right by such concert of free peO- pie shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world Itself at last free.
 To such a task we can dedicate our we are and everything that have. with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America Is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured.
 God helping her. she can do no other.