The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-03-01
PRESIDENT WILSON'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

possess that power without special warrant
of war by the plain implication of my consti-
tutional duties and powers but / prefer in
the present circumstances not to act upon
general implication. | wish to feel that the au-
thority and the power of the Congress are
behind me in whatever it may become .neces-
sary for me to do. We are Jointly the SER
wants of the people and must act together
and in their spirit as far as We can divine and
interpret it.
No one doubts what it is our duty to do.
We must defend our commerce and the lives
of our people in the midst of the present try
ing circumstances with discretion but with
clear and steadfast purpose. Only the meth
cd and the extent remain to be chosen upon
the occasion, if occasion should indeed arise.
Armed Neutrality.
Since it has unhappily proved impossible
to safeguard our neutral rights by diplomatic
means against the unwarranted infringe
ments they are suffering at the hands Of
Germany there may be no recourse but to
armed neutrality which we shall Know how
to maintain and for which there is abundant
American precedent.
1t is devoutly to be hoped that it will not
be necessary to put armed forces anywhere
into action. The American people do not de-
sire it and our desire is not different from
theirs. / am sure that they will understand
the spirit in which | am now acting, the pur-
pose | hold nearest my heart and would wish
to exhibit in everything / do. / am anxious
that the people of the nations at war also
should understand and not mistrust us. |
hope that / need give no further proofs and
assurances than l have already given
Throughout nearly three years of anxious pa
thence that | am the friend of peace and mean
to preserve it for American so long as | am
able. | am not proposing or contemplating
war or any steps that need lead to it. / mere
ly request that you will accord me your own
vote and by definite beStowal the means and
the authority to safeguard in practice the
right of a great people who are peaceable and
who are DESTROYS Of exercising none but the
rights of peace, to follow the pursuit of peace
in quietness and good will, rights recognized
time out of mind by all the civilized nations
of the world. No course of my choosing or
of theirs will lead to war. War can come
only by the wilful acts and aggressions of
others.
You will understand why / can make no
definite proposals or forecasts of actions now
and must ask for your supporting authority
in the most general terms. The form in
which action may become necessary cannot
yet be f~oreseen. believe that the people
will be willing to trust me to act with re-
straint, with prudence and in the true spirit
of amity and good faith that they have them
selves displayed throughout these trying
months and it is in that belief that | request
that you will authorize me to supply our mer-
chant ships with defensive arms should that
become necessary and with the means of
using them and to employ any other instru-
mentalities or methods that be necessary and
adequate to protect our ships and our people
in their legitimate and peaceful purposes on
the seas. | request also that you will grant
me at the same time along with the powers /
ask a sufficient credit to enable me to provide
adequate means of protection where they are
lacking, including adequate insurance against
the present war risks.