The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1917-03-15
MAKES REPORT
4 OF WASHINGTON TRIP

. vi IN
DEAR SIR:
AS the delegate from North Dakota
to the National Security league Con-
of Constructive Patriotism, I
feel it not only a duty but a privilege
to give a brief Report Of the'Congress.
am sending this letter, OF report to
those who contributed toward the ex-
pense Of sending a delegate, but as it
will be impossible to reach all mem-
bers in that way, we may succeed in
getting it published in some papers.
Let. ME say that from a selfish
standpoint I felt I was indeed fortu-
nate in having been chosen to repre-
sent North Dakota patriots. Never
have l heard such addresses, such
splendid eloquence, unanswerable log
inspired by the loftiest American
ideals. and on fire with patriotic SEN
timent, as / heard at this Congress.
Yet all through the session / was fill
ed ~with-regret that every man and wo-
man claiming Or owing allegiance to
this great Republic could not have
see and heard that it was my lot to
see and hear. For years /. have en-
deavored to teach that when we re-
ceive and take so much from our coun-
try, that we should give something in
return. That the maxim, External
vigilance is the price Of Liberty, is
not an empty classic, but a solemn
truth. That we can no more take from
u country (sac;ety) and give moth
ing in return end not impoverish it,
than we a eat the bread and still
possess it. That the glory of the
fathers is our disgrace unless we give
and sacrifice even as they.
In the campaign 1 made last spring
as candidate for nomination for Con-
gress, in more than one hundred and
fifty speeches, l devoted a liberal
share Of my time to this long and sad
ly neglected truth. It was this, no
doubt, that caused my friends to send
me, and to you ! offer a heartfelt APP
probation. How poorly have I preach
this fundamental truth, I fully realiz-
ed, when from The greatest minds in
this country I heard it embellished in
gems of thought as pure and brilliant
as a diamond. Enjoy it as / did, /
could not help but feel, how great it
would have been could we have had
some of those WHO see in the constitu-
ton and laws only a protection to
to their sordid selfishness, and a Ii
cense foo them to attack the govern
ment that protects them. Who con-
ceive that legislatures were created
and governments established to make
laws for the benefit Of the particular
vocation (business) to which they be-
long, equally applicable to many rich
and many poor.
The Congress in itself was one OF
the most imposing that ever assembled
according to the Washington papers
the largest convention ever held in the
Capitol city. l cannot say how many
delegates attended. I know that {
banquet.fo Or the final session had places
for even hundred and fifty, which
were all spoken for before I arrive 1
My judgment is that more than two
thousand participated from all parts
of the Union, and that a third were
women. The place chosen was tho
acme Of perfection. Here in the
shadow Of Washington's Monument
in, the city honored by his name
amidst a thousand statues erected tx
those who lived and died for their flu
ture generation. No wonder that thu
words Of Elihu Root in opening his ad
dress were greeted with laundering
applause. Let Us pause and reat
them, "Mr. Chairman, ladies and gen
tlemen: ] find thatI am not set dow
upon the program to speak upon Am
erica's needs. I should not have dig
nified the few remarks that I have t
make by any such stupendous title
I will make n observation, however
upon the subject. It is that America
present need is re-awakening of tn
spirit Of self-governing democracy
And unless we ere to wait until som
great and terrific misfortune bring
that awakening, each one of us, who's
eyes are open to the condition and tn
demands of the time, must do his ut
most to render his services and awak
en- his fellows.
"Now I wish I could say something
II would like to say something, no
so much to lead or to convince yor
whose eyes are already open, and VIII
have come here because they are oper
but something that will enable yoc
when you go home, TO stir your fel
low countrymen, men and women, GU
of the lethargy Into which they hav