Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-04-04
Cannot Submit to Nronqs

Cannot Submit 70 Wrongs
There Is one choice we cannot
make. we are incapable OF making.
We VIII not choose the path or sub
, mission and suffer the most sacred
rights OF our nation and our people
10 be ignored or violated. The
wrongs against which we now array
ourselves are no common wrongs:
they cut to the very roots or human
life.
With a profound sense OF the
solemn and even tragicaI character
Of the sfe7 7 en- taking and OF the
grave responsibilities which it IN
wolves. but in unhesitating obedience
to what I deem my constitutional
duty. I advise that the congress de-
clare the recent course Of the i'm
perial German government to be in
fact nothing less than war against
the government and people Of the
United States that it formally ac-
cept the status Of beIIigerents which
has thus been thrust upon it: and
that it take immediate steps not only
to put the country in a more thorough
state OF defense. but also TO exert all
its power and employ all its resources
10 bring the government OF the Ger
man empire TO terms and end the
war.
What this win involve is clear.
1t win involve the utmost practicable
cooperation in counsel and action
with Germany. and. as incident 70
that, the extension TO those govern
ments Of the most liberal financial
credits. in order that our resources
may. so far as possible. be added to
theirs
1t viii involve the organization and
mobilization of all the material re-
sources Of the country 10 supply the
materials of war and serve the Incl
dental needs of the-natiOn in the most
abundant and yet the most economi-
cal and efficient way possible.
It wiz involve the immediate full
equipment Of the navy in all respects,
but particularly in supplying it with
the best means Of dealing with the
enemy's submarines.
1t viii involve the immediate ad-
dition TO the armed forces of the
United States already provided for
by law in case Of war. at least 500,
eco men. who should, in my opinion,
be chosen upon the principle of uni
versal liability TO service. and also
NE- -,%F,r,----~+S-sr, - ---r,~~~r,,,% -5|s
tional incfements of equal force so
soon as they may be needed and can
be handled IN training.
1t viii involve, also, of course, the
granting Of adequate credits to the
government, sustained. hope. so
far as they can equitably be sus-
tanned by the present generation. oy
wen-conceived taxation.
say sustained so far as maybe
equitabIy By taxation because il seems
to me that it would be most unwise
to base the credits entirely on money
borrowed.
Must Aid Entente Allies
In carrying out the measures by
which these things are to be accom-
pIished we should keep constantly in
mind the wisdom Of interfering as lit
tie as possible in our own preparation
and in the equipment Of our own mill
tary forces with the duty-for it viii
be a very practical duty-of supply
ing the nations already at war with
Germany with the materials which
they can obtain only from rs or by
our assistance. They are in the field,
and we should help them in every
way TO be effective there.
1 shall take the liberty OF suggest
ing, through the several executive
departments OF the government, for
the consideration OF your committees,
measures for the accomplishment OF
the several objects / have mentioned
I hope that it viii be your pleasure
TO deal with them as having been
framed after very careful thought by
the branch Of the government upon
which the responsibility OF conduct
the war and safeguarding this ma
ton viii most directly fail.
While we do these things, these
deeply momentous things. let Us be
very clear TO all the world what our
motives and our objects are.
Ny own thought has not been
driven from its habituaI and normal
course By the unhappy events of the
last two months. and I do not believe
| that the thought of the nation has
been altered or c1ouded by them.
VindIcate Peace Principles
have exactly the same things IN
mind now that had in mind when 1
addressed the senate On jan p last,
the same that I had IN mind when
addressed the congress On Feb and
Feb. Is.
Our object now. as then, is to vim
dicate the principles OF peace and
justice IN the life Of the world as