The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-04-12

set criminal fntrigues everywhere
afoot against our national unity Of
counsel, our peace within and with
out our industries and our commerce.
Prussian EnrIty Shown.
"Even in checking these things and
trying to extirpate them we have
sought to put the most generous inter-
probation possible upon them, because
we know that their source lay, not In
any hostile feeling or purpose Of the
German people towards US (who were
no doubt as ignorant OF tnem as va
ourselves were), but only In the self.
ish designs of a government that did
what II pleased and told its people
nothing. But they have played their
part In serving to convince us at last
that the government entertains no
real friendship for US, and means tc
act against our peace and security
at its convenience. That 1t means to
stir up enemies against us at our very
doors the intercepted note to the Ger
man minister at Mexico City Is clio.
quent evidence.
Eve are accepting this challenge OF
hostile purpose because we know that
In such a government following such
methods, we can never have a friend.
and that in the presence of its organ.
lied power. always lying In wait II
accomplish we know not what pur-
pose, there can be no assured secur.
ity for the democratic governments
OF the world. We are now about u
accept gage of battle with this natural
foe to liberty and shall IL necessary
expend the whole force Of the nation
to check and nullify its pretensions
and power. The world must be made
safe for democracy. Its peace mus.
be planted upon the tested founda,
tions Of political liberty. We have no
selfish ends to serve. We desire no
conquest, no dominion. We seek no
indemnities for ourselves, no material
OF the champions of the rights OF
mankind. We shall be satisfied when
those rights have been made as So
cure as the faith and the freedom Of
nations can make them.
Austria Not Menaced.
81 have said nothing of the govern
ments allied with the imperial gov.
eminent Of Germany, because they
have not made war upon us or chal-
lenged us to defend our right and our
honor. The Austro-Hungarian govern
ment has, indeed. avowed its unqual
fled endorsement AMI acceptance Of
warfare adopted now without disguise
by the imperial German government
and il has therefore not been possible
for this government to receive Count
Tarnowski, the ambassador recently
accredited to this government by the
imperial and royal government OF
Austria-Hungary. but that govern
ment has not actually engaged in war
fare against citizens of the Unitei
States on the high seas, and l take
the liberty. for the present at least, of
postponing a discussion of our rela
lions with the authorities at Vienna
We enter this war only where we are
clearly forced into IL because there
are no other means of defending our
rights.
1T will be all the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belligerents in
q high spirit of right and fairness.
because we act without animus, not
In enmity. towards a people or with
the desire to bring any injury or dis
advantage upon them, but only in
armed opposition to an irresponsible
government. which has thrown aside
all considerations Of humanity and OF
right and is running amuck. We arc,
let me say again, the sincere friends
of the German people, and shall de-
sire nothing so much as the early re-
establishment Of intimate relations
Of mutual advantage between us, how
ever hard it may be for them, for the
time being, to believe that this Is
spoken from our hearts.
Our German Citizens.
"We shall, happily. still have an
opportunity to prove that friendship
In our daily attitude and actions to-
wards the millions of men and WON.
en- OF German birth and native sym
patty who live among us and share
our life. and we shall be proud to
prove II towards all who are in fact
loyal to their neighbors and to tho
government in the hour of test. They
are, most of them, as true and loyal
Americans as il they had never
known any other fealty or allegiance.
They will be prompt to stand with us
In rebuking and restraining the few
who may be of different mind aid
purpose II there should be disloyalty,
II will be dealt with with a firm hand
OF stern repression; but, II il lifts IFS
head at all. il will lift il only here
and there and without countenance
except from a lawlesE and malignant
few.
1T is a distressing and oppressive
duty. gentlemen of the congress,
which | nave performed In thus al
dressing you. There are, II may be,
many months Of fiery trial and sacri.
nee ahead OF us. II Is a fearful thing
to lead this great peaceful people into
war, into the most terrible and dis
astrous of all wars civilization itself