The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-06
THE UNITED STATES AT WAR


The die is cast.
The parting of the ways finally has
been reached and the United States
is ut war with Germany.
To recount what has transpired
during the 81 months of the world
war, would be but to narrate that
with which all newspaper readers are
familiar.
With great forbearance, the United
States has tolerated many indigpities
and insults in a vain hope that war
might not be brought to our doors,
but when Germany wac caught red
handed carrying on secret war
against us by attempting to embroil
us in conflict with Mexico and Jap
an; when Germany repudiated it's
solemn pledge to the United States
to respect international law by not
attacking vessels without warning and
without giving an opportunity for the
saving of the lives of those on board
such vessels, and proclaimed its in.
rention OF conducting an unrestricted
submarine warfare. followed by the
torpedoing of vessels with citizens of
the United States aboard, the overt
act was committed and the war
against this country was started.
The United States enters the war
with clear conscience. Everything
possible was done TO keep out OF the
conflict and maintain national honor
and self-respect.
The entrance of the United States
into the conflict means more than its
rights to the sea. II brings to the
front the new and great issue Of de.
mocracy vs.. autocracy The crumb.
Ang of monarchies has been OF slow
movement, but IL has gone on with a
Z certainty and will not cease until the
divine right" TO rule is conceded a
Yal'acy and the people in all lands
proclaim themselves in majesty, and
the world has become the world OF
the people and their right to decide
all questions is firmly established as a
cardinal principles. This Is the para
mount issue that is involved In this
worldwide war, and that issue can be
settled en only one way.
almost In the twinkling OF the eye,
Russia threw off the yoke OF autocra,
cy and became republic. In Ger
many, only the coming of the right
man is awaited to accomplish the
;sane. Autocracy rules with as
strong hand in Germany as 1t eve
did in Russia, Under a system
sadroitly conceived and maintained
the German people, who are as liber
stylnving as the people OF any nation
arc ruled with mailed hand by
small coterie Of Prussians, Will
them, militarism has reached II
height. 1t is not with the people q
Germany that the United States ha
any differences 1T Is with the Pru'
fsians who have the government {
fGermany by the throat II the libert!
loving people OF Germany were
arise, as did the people OF Russii
against autocracy and assert then
selves against the autocratic Pru
sian kaiser, they would secure tn
popular rights to which they are el
titled, the war would soon he at "A
end, and Germany would take II
proper place among the nations of th
earth having progressive, popular go
ernment.
The United States enters the wa
with due elaboration On its par
the conflict Is for humanity. wit
that prompting, coupled with the p
triotic aim to protect, defend an
maintain its honor, il will do its fu
part until the issue Is rightly solve
az that is the only way It can
solved.
The congress OF the United Stat,
Is solidly back OF President Wilso
and the expression OF the congress-
hut reflex OF the voice OF the peop
OF the whole country.