The Kentucky register. (Richmond, Ky.) 190?-1917, 1917-04-13

set criminal intrigues everywhere
afoot against our national unity OF
counsel, our peace within and WITH
out our industries and our commerce.
Prussian Enmity Shown.
Even in checking these things ard
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 them as We
ourselves were), but only in the self.
ish designs Of a government that did
what 1t 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 it means to
stir up enemies against us at our very
doors the intercepted note to the Ger
man minister at Mexico City is eio
quent evidence.
I've are accepting this challenge Of
hostile purpose because we know that
In such q government following such
methods, we can never have a friend,
md that in tho nracapaa of tie organ.
lied power always lying in wait to
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 if necessary
expend the whole force OF the nation
to check and nullify its pretenson5
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 Ut
mankind. We shall be satisfied when
those rights have been made as Sc
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 and acceptance OF
the reckless and lawless submarine
warfare adopted now without disguise
by the imperial German government,
and It 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 United
States on the high seas, and | 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 1t because there
are no other means of defending our
/ rights.
1T will be all the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belligerents in
high spirit OF right and fairness,
because we act without animus, not
in enmity. towards people or with
/ the desire to bring airy 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 are,
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 1t may be for them, for the
time being, to believe that this is
spoken from our hearts.
Our German Citizens.
I'VE 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 -
prove It 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 If they mad 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 a different mind and
purpose If there should be disloyalty,
It will be dealt with with firm nand
OF stern repression; but, If 1t lifts its
head at all. it will lift it only here
and there and without countenance
except from lawlesC and malignant
| few.
at is a distressing and oppressive
duty, gentlemen of the congress,
which I nave performed In thus adj
dressing you. There are, 1t may be,
many months Of fiery trial and sacri-
hce ahead OF us. 1t Is a fearful thing
to lead this great peaceful people into
war. into the most terrible and dis
astrous Of all wars, civilization itself
seeming TO be in the balance. But thc
right is more precious than peace,
and we shall fight for the things
which we nave always carried near
est our hearts-for democracy, for the
right OF those who submit to author
lty to have voice In their own gov
ernments. for the rights and liberties
Of small nations, for a universal do
minion of right by such concert OF
free people as shall bring peace and
safety to all nations and make the
world itself at last free. To such a
task we can dedicate our lives and
our fortunes, everything that we ate
and everything that we have. with
The pride OF those who know that tle
day has come when America. is priv.
LEGGED TO spend her blood and her
might for the principles that gave her