The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-15

10 make InaL decision IN some deSig-
mated authority or which does not
recognize the special and imperative
duties Of citizenship in time of war
following upon such a decision law
fully made.
Decision Made Carefully.
THE power in this instance was
exercised not suddenly or rashly but
advisedly, after a long delay and dis
cussion and patience under provoca-
ton after repeated diplomatic warn
ings with Germany, after long OPP
portunity for reflection and discus
sion following that notice and after
a formal and deliberate presentation
by the President to congress Of the
reasons for action.
The decision was made by over
whelming majorities of both houses
of congress. When such a decision
has been made the duties-and
therefore the rights-of all the peo-
pie Of the country Immediately
change. It becomes their duty to stop
discussion upon the question and to
proceed Immediately and to do every
thing in their power to enable the
government of their country to sue
coed in the war.
An InibeciIe Nation.
goes on discussing whether il ought
to have declared war or not is i'm
potent, paralyzed, imbecile and earns
the contempt of mankind, and the
certainty Of humiliating defeat and
subsection to foreign control. A
democracy which cannot accept it's
own decisions, made in accordance
with its own laws, but must keep
on endlessly discussing the question
already decided, has failed in the
requirements of self
government.
But after the decision in favor of
war the country has ranged itself
and the only issue left for the in
dividual citizen il whether he is for
or against his government. From
that time on arguments against the
war in which the country is engaged
are enemy arguments. Their spirit
is the spirit of rebellion against the
government and laws Of the United
States. Their effect is to hinder
and lessen that popular support Of
the government in carrying on the
war which is necessary to success.
Their manifest purpose is to prevent
action by continuing discussion.
They encourage the enemy. They
tend to introduce delay and irreso-
luton into our councils.
Effective Service.
1.-THE men who are speaking and
writing and printing arguments
against the war now and against
everything that is being done to car
ry on the war are rendering more
effective service to Germany than
they could render in the field with
arms in their hands. The purpose
and effect of what they are doing
Is so plain that 1t Is impossible to
resist the conclusion that the greater
part of them are at heart traitors
10 the United States and wilfully
seeking to bring about the triumph
Of Germany and the humiliation and
defeat Of their own country.
The Only Way.
'"The whole of the American peo-
congress to listen to your view and
to mine and then to decide the ques-
ton. When they have decided and
a law has been passed which pro-
vides for raising part OF the army
by voluntary enlistments and part
of the army by CONSUMPTION, it is
plain that the only way in which we
can raise an army and go on with
the war is by accepting that decision
and following that law and any at
tempt to discourage volunteering or
to oppose CONSUMPTION is an attempt
to embarrass the government OF the
United States in the conduct Of the
war and to help Germany by pre-
venting our government in raising
armies to fight against her.
Intentionally Aid Germany.
cit is beyond doubt that many of
nsA At =
Of the war after war has been en-
tered upon, the men who are trying
to stir up resistance to the draft, the
men who are melting strikes in the
particular branches of production
which are necessary for the supply
Of arms and munitions of war, are
seeking to aid Germany
and defeat the United States. AS
time goes on and the character Of
these acts become more clearly man
fest, all who continue to associate
with them must come under the
same condemnation as traitors to
their country"
ls Time of Sacrifice.
There are doubtless some who do
lot understand what this struggle
really is. Some who were born here
resent interference with their COM
tort and prosperity and the demands
Tor sacrifice which seem to them I'M
and they fail to see that
he time has come when, IL Ameri-
Ind liberty which their fathers won
by suffering and sacrifice, they, in
heir turn, must fight again for the
of that independence
and that liberty. There are some
BORN abroad who have come to this
and for greater freedom and broad
sr opportunities and have sought and
'eceived the privileges Of American
who are swayed by dis
ike for some ally or by the sym|
Dathies of German kinship, and fail |
o see that the time has come for
hem to make good their obligations
II their sworn oaths Of naturaliza-
ion.
False to Their oathS.
"All these naturalized citizens who |
ire taking part in this obstruction
o the government in conduct OF the
var are false 10 their oaths, are for
getting their rights Of citizenship, |
ire repudiating their honorable |
obligations, are requiting by evil the |
rood that has been done them in the |
,enerous and unstinted hospitality |
With which the people Of the United /
states have welcomed them to the
liberty and the opportunities Of this
Inc land. We must believe that in |
many cases this is done because OF |
allure to understand what this war 1
eally is.
This is a war Of defense. 1t Is
perfectly described in the words Of /
he constitution which established \
his nation-'to provide for the COM i
non defense and to secure the
blessings OF liberty to ourselves and
,ur posterity.' The national defense
demands not merely force, but intelli-
renee. BY entering this war, in /
April, the United States awaited it
elf OF the very last opportunity to
Iefend itself against subsection to
serman power before 1t was too late