The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-11-20

the power of the German people, so
that they may find the only road
which will give to the world an early
peace and in time lead Germany
back into the family I nations, from
which it is now an outcast.
From each successive visit to
Germany for twenty-five years
came away more appalled, by the
sinister transmutation Prussianism
had wrought amongst the people and
by the portentous menace / recog-
nized in it for the entire world.
ut had given to Germany unpar-
alleled prosperity, beneficient and
advanced social legislation. and not
few Their things of value, but it
had taken in payment the soul of the
race. tt had made a devils bar
gain"
And when this war broke out in
Europe l knew that the issue had
been joined between the powers of
brutal might and insensate ambition
on the one side and the forces of hui
mainly and liberty on the other; be-
tween darkness and light.
Many there were at that time
and amongst them men for whose
character l had high respect and
whose motives were beyond any pos
sible suspicion-who saw their own
and Americas duty in trict neutral
ity, mentally and actually, but per-.
sonally l believed from the begin
ming of the war, whether we liked
oil nfc re hn oil
bination or not-and l certainly did
not like the Russia of the cars
that the cause of the allies was
Americas cause.
II believed that this was no ordi-
nary war between peoples for a ques-
ton of national interest, or even ma
tional honor, but conflict between
fundamental principles and ideas;
and so believing l was bound to feel
that the natural lines of race, blood
and kinship could not be the determ-
lining lines for ones attitude and
alignment, but that each man, re-
CARELESS of his origin, had to decide
according to his judgment and con-
science on which side was the right
and on which was the wrong and
take his stand accordingly, whatever
the wrench and anguish of the de-
cision. And thus l took my stand
three years ago.
But whatever ones views and
feelings, whatever the country of
ones birth or kin, only one course
was left for all those claiming the
privilege of American citizenship
when. after infinite forbearance, the
president decided that our honor and
safety demanded that we take up
arm against the imperial German
government, and by action of con-
gress the cause and the fight against
that government were declared our
cause and our fight.
The Foreign Born's Allegiance
The duty of loyal allegiance and
faithful service to his country, even
unto death, rests of course upon
every American But, if it be pos
sible to speak of comparative de-
gree concerning what is the highest
as 1t is the most elementary attri-
butte of citizenship, that duty chang
ed for another one in time of storm
and stress! Woe to the German
American, SO called, who, in this
sacred war for cause as high as
any for which ever people took up
arms, does not feel a solemn urge,
does mt show an eager determination
to be in the very forefront of the
does not prove a patriotic
jealousy, in thought, in action and in
speech, to rival and to Guido his ma
tive born fellow citizen in devotion
and in willing sacrifice for the coun-
try of his choice and adoption and
sworn allegiance, and of their COM
mon affection and pride"