The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-04-05
THURSDAY, APRIL s, 1917.
For Justice and Humanity.

The president of the United States
has sounded the toesin to war. He has
declared to the congress of the United
States that a state of war exists be-
tween the United States and Germany
and he has asked that this congress
authorize him to use all of the resour-
ces Of this great nation to carry this
war to a successful ending. He has
made his plea in the name of justice
and humanity and on such plea the
great majority of the people Of the
United States will stand firmly behind
him for the defense of American lives
and American rights He has stated
in terms not to be gain-said the facts
which have led the United States to
make war on Germany. He has shown
the utter disregard Of the German gov
ernment--not the German people-for
the rights of mankind and his declara-
tion that "a state of war exists carries
with it the declaration that the parti
cipation in war by this nation must be
an action for the freedom of a world.
He has stood firmly for the protection
of those rights which Americans have
fought for in the past and while stand
ing for these rights he has held up the
hope that in war we may open the way
for q peace which will be not for the
United States alone but a lasting peace
for the nations of the world. There is
but one feature of his patriotic and
stirring address to congress to which
we can not subscribe and this is his
demand upon the members of congress
that this country give aid to other ma
tions warning against Germany He
suggests in this the entangling alliance
which we as a nation have fought since
the days of Washington and against
which we have constantly stood out.
His suggestion that we give aid to the
entente allies, that we make their quar-
rel opr quarrel is not our opinion of
the trouble between the United States
and Germany. The address of the
president has not in any way changed
The status of affairs Our quarrel with
Germany is of Germany's own making.
She has attacked and sunk American
ships, her gunners have taken the lives
of American sailors on the high seas
and her insistent submarine warfare
las denied to the peaceful American
citizens the right of the seas. These
facts do not warrant this nation be-
coming a part of the allied battle
against Germany. The resources which
we have should be conserved for this
nation and for the defense of this ma
ton. The money which we have should
remain in Our own strong box that it
may be drawn on in time of need Our
battle is a battle for our own rights
and not for the rights of some other
nation. We have not been tangled up
IN the war between the allies and the
German nation and her allies and there
Is no cause to accept such an alliance
at this time With the assurance of a
righteous cause we should go out to
fight our own battle against an insult
ing German administration and not
against the people of Germany. 1t is
devoutly to be hoped that the declara-
tions which have been made will never
result in free-born Americans fighting
in the trenches in Europe. Our call is
call to the seas for the defense of
our rights under international law and
for the protection of humanity.
With cruel and perhaps continued
warfare staring us in the face, the call
to patriotic Americans is the call to
prudence. Avoid statements which
might stir up that enmity at home
which would be so weakening to those
who must fight abroad. Have faith in
the men who are placed by the votes
of the people at the head of the nation
and let it be their great work to pilot
us through this perilous journey into
the vortex of world war. Stand firmly
behind the government and let the acts
on congress, the recognized administra-
tive body of the nation receive your
and my fullest support.