The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-04-06

led out before file of soldiers and
shot to death. Meantime, it will be re-
membered, announcement was made
that all stolen territory was thenceforth
German territory. and while this has
since been qualified, the spirit of the
thing is none the less plain. And then
comes Germany's alliance with the
Turks, who in carrying out their part
of an unholy contract have slaughter
ed tens of thousands of defenseless
Christians, butchered their children.
outraged their wives and daughters.
invariably adding murder to the salts
faction of lust that is simply hell
ish. And then, let us consider the action
of the German government in sweep
| ing aside those international obligations
which, opposed to the stresses of war
have constituted the bulwarks of civil
ization. She has frequently caused
bombs to be dropped upon defenseless
cities and villages, destroying the lives
of innocent, non-combatant men, wom-
en- and children. She has disregarded
those humane regulations which gave
civilians chance to escape with their
lives from merchant ships, even of bel
| ligerents, and has sent her submarines
out into the high seas to sink without
warning any vessel of any country that
ventures within zone she has arbitrar-
lily established in defiance of interna-
tiohal law and the humane practice of
centuries. In the execution of this
diabolical design great merchant ships,
freighted with hundreds of human be-
ings, have been mercilessly sent to the
bottom. Men of genius, whose loss
was a loss to the world, tender women.
innocent children and babes at their
mothers breasts have been sent to their
death in the depths of the sea in order
that rotten military aristocracy might
fasten anew it's clutches upon civiliza-
ton and retard the march of progress
which threatened it's extinction. The
sum of these villainies is colossal. The
millions of graves, the oceans of tears
that have been and will yet be shed.
the destruction of monuments of anti
guilty and architecture, the devastation
of the fairest and most fruitful sec
tions of Gods earth cannot in this day
and age constitute foundation for
fame, but will forever remain a record
of shame unparalleled in human annals.
The war of the German autocracy is a
war against civilization and subversive
of those principles of freedom which
are especially dear to the people of
this great republic. Wherefcr our
cause is sufficient and our duty clear.
We must strike a blow in defense of
those vital privileges which our fore
fathers bought with their blood and if
their price be our price we shall. if we
are worthy of our heritage. consider it
privilege to pay it. The sentiment of
the great majority of the American
people to-day is solidly behind our gov
eminent in its determination to protect
our national rights and dignity, and we
believe the following sentiment from
the pen of John Hay, former secretary
to President Lincoln, will find an echo
in every loyal and courageous heart:
When tyrant feet are trampling
Upon the common veal
Thou dost not bid cringe and writhe
Beneath the iron heel.
In thy name sssert rights
With sword and tongue and pen.
And cen the headsmans may fash
Thy message unto men,"
&C. H. r.