American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-02-01
A TIME TO BE CONSERVATIVE.

The notice served upon this country by Germany
that unrestricted submarine warfare would be re-
sumed, and the results that may grow out of such
resumption, may call for great restraint upon the
part of all the citizens of this county very large
part of the people of this county German born or
OF German ancestry. Many of them have been in
this country but few years. Their sympathies are
all with Germany, and they ardently and honestly be-
leve that Germany was forced into the war to pre-
her national life and fighting not only her own
battle, but the battle of humanity. Right or wrong
these people are sincere. They are bound to Ger
many by ties of blood and their sympathies are ma
tural result of conditions
We have another large element of population
which is just honest and sincere in its beliefs that
Germany is the aggressor, and precpitated the war
for the purpose of extending her territorial pos
sessions. They are bound to the Allies by ties of
blood, and their sources of information are ally
sources. They could not be different than they are
With such conditions prevailing, there is great
danger of individual and community friction which
will serve no good purpose. The situation calls for
personal restraint and consideration for the rights
and privileges of those with whom we may disagree
No good end will be attained by discussions between
radical members of either element, and much that is
harmful to the peace of the community may come
from such discussions.
1t is good time to remember that freedom of
speech and belief is guaranteed in this country AL
that your rights are equal to but no greater than
those of any other citizen Each citizen is entitled
to his own opinions but the same principle which
confers this right upon him imposes the obligation
upon him to respect the rights Of those who may not
agree with him.
No one tell what the future holds This ma
tion may suddenly be plunged into the great war and
in that event the leaders of all elements should unite
to keep down feeling The great body of the Amer-
can people are honestly neutral, or believe them
selves to be- Blood ties too remote to influence
them, and their traditions are those Of Americans
only. Their sources of infOrmatiOn-due to COM
mon language-are mostly ally, and for this reason
they can afford to concede little Of their honestly
held opinions. The American people condemn some
OF the practices of all the parties to the war; and they
also defend some of the practices of each They de-
sire to be fair but word of caution to all can not
be out of place. The Press has persistently refrain
ed from publishing news in order to avoid arous
ing bitterness If this country becomes involved
however it will not be possible to continue to do So
1t is to be hoped that this nation will become in
volved but there is grave danger that it will and the
only safe cause is to remember that one citizen has
no more freedom of thought or expression than
another, greater right to hold principles or pre-
Judces, and is under the degree of responsible
ty as every other citizen to promote the common well
fare of ALL