Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-03

tie nations already at war with Ger
4 many with the materials which the,
can C1tain only from US or by ou
assistance
Cur object now, as then. is to vindi
cate the principles of peace and o
justice H. the life OF the world a:
against selfish and autocratic rowe.
and to set up amongst the really Tree
and self-governed peoples OF the world
such a concert OF purpose and of &C
ton as viii henceforth insure the OBJ.
scgyanee OF those principles,
Neutrality Is no longer feasible or
desirable where the peace Of the
world is involved and the freedom OF
its peoples and the menace to the
peace aud freedom lies in the exist
enee OF autocratic governments
backed by organized force which is
controlled wholly by their viii, not by
the Will Of their people, We have
seen the last OF neutrality in such cir
cumstances.
Seli.goyerned nations do not fill
their neighbor states With spies OF set
the course of intrigue to bring about
scme critical posture of affairs which
win give hem an opportunity to strike
and make conquest Such designs can
be successfully worked only under
cover and where no one has the right
to ask questions.
Cunningly contriyed plans of deeep-
tion or aggression. carried, it may be.
from generation TO generation, can be
worked out and kept from the light
oriy within the privacy of courts or
behind the carefully guarded conf
dences OF narrow and privileged
class.
They are happily impossible where
public opinion commands and insists
upol fun information concerning all
the nations affairs,
Only free peoples can hold their
purpose and their honor steady to a
common end and prefer the inherent
Of their own.
Docs not every American feel that
assurance has been added to our hope I
for the future peace OF the world BY
the wonderful and heartening things
that have been happening within the !
last few weeks n Russia
One OF the things that has served to .
convince us that the Prussian auto
cracy was not and could never be our
friend is that from the very outset OF
the present war it has filled our un-
suspectilg communities and even our
offices OF government with spies and
sst criminal intrigues everywhere
afoot against cur national unity OF
counsel, our peace within and without,
our industries, and our commerce,
We are, let me say again. the sin.
cerc friends Of the German people, and
shall desire nothing so much as the
carly reestabishment of intimate rela
tons Of mutual advantage between us,
however hard it may be for them, for .
the time being, to believe that this is .
spoken from our hearts.
We have been lenient with their !
present government thru all these bit |
ter months because Of that friendship .
exercising patience and forbearalce
which would otherwise have been i'm |
possible.
We shall happily, still have an op-
portunity to prove that friendship In
our daily attitude and actions towards
tie millions of men and women OF
German birth and native sympathy
who live amongst us and share our
life, and we shall be proud to prove il
towards all who are in fact loyal to
their neighbors and to the government
in the hour Of test They are, mosl
OF them, as true and loyal Americans
as If they had never known any other
fealty or allegiance. They will oe
prompt to stand with us in rebuking
and restraining the few who may be
OF different mind and purpose. II
there should be disloyalty ii will be
dealt with with firm hand of stern
repression; but If it lifts its head at
all 1t VIII Hit 1t only here and.there
and without countenance except from
a laWless and malignant few.
II is distressing and oppressive
duty. gentlemen Of the congress,
which | have performed in thus ad.
dressing GU There are, it may be.
many months Of fiery trial and saeri.
flee ahead Of u.s. 1t is a fearful thing
to lead this great peaceful people into
war into the most terrible and disas.
trous of all wars, civilization 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 hearts-tor democracy, for the
right of those who submit to authority
to have a voice IN their own govern
ments, for the rights and libeties OF
small nations, for universal domin.
ion of right by such a concert of free
peoples as shall bring peace and safe.
ty to all nations and make the world
Itself at last free.
TO such task we can dedicate
our lives and our fortunes, everything
that we are and everything that we
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.