The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-04-05

ITainowslsl, the ansfassaior recently
accredited TO this government by the
Imperial and royal government Of Aus
tria-I1ungary,
But that government has not ac-
tually engaged I'm warfare against
citizens of the United STATES on the
high seas. and / raks the liberty. for
the present nj least. Of nostponing a
discussion Of our relations with the
authorities at VIENNA.
We enter this war only where we
are elearly forced INTO 1t, because
there are no other means OF defend
ing our rights
1t Will he all the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belligerents In a
high spirit of right and fairness be-
cause we act without animus, not in
enmtty toward a people or with the
desire to bring any injury or dlsad.
vantage upon them, hut only IN armed
opposition to an irresponsible govern
ment which has thrown aside all con-
siderations of humanity and Of right
and is running amuck.
Hopes for Early Peace.
We are, let me say again. the sin
cere friends of the German people, and
shall desire nothing so much rs the
early re-establishment OF Intimate re-
lations of mutual advantage between
us. however hard 1t may be for them
for the time being TO believe that this
is spoken from our hearts. We have
horne with their present government
through all these bitter months be-
cause of Nhat friendship, exercising q
patience and forbearance which would
otherwise have been impossible
We shall, happily. still have an OPP
portunity to prove that friendship In
our daily attitude and actions toward
the millions of men and women Of
German birth and native sympathy
who live among us and share our life,
and we shall be proud to prove IL to-
ward all who are in fact loyal to their
neighbors and to the government in
~the hour of test. They are, most Of
them. as true and loyal Americans as
If they had never known any other
fealty or allegiance. They will be
prompt 70 stand with MS in rebuking
and restraining the few who may he OF
a different mind and purpose.
II there should be ttisloyalty 1t will
be dealt with with firm hand of stem
repression. but, IL II lifts head at all II
will lift IL only here and there and
without countenance except from 4
lawless and malignant few.
1t is distressing and oppressive.
duty, gentlemen Of the congress. which
| have performed in thus addressing
YOU. There ARE, 1t may he. many
months of fiery triad and sacrifice
ahead of us. g..
1t is Il fearful tlGng to lead this
great, peaceful nation into war, into
the most terrible and disastrous of all
wars, civilization Itself seeming to be
in the balance. But the right Is more
precious than peace, and we shall fight
for the things which we have always
carried nearest our hearts---for demOc-
racy, for The right of those who submit
TO authority TO have Il voice In their
own governments, for the rights and
liberties of small nations, for Il univer-
sal dominion Of right by such concert
o free people as sE6il bring peace and
safety to all nations aud make the
world itself at last free. ....
TO such u task we can dedicate our
lives and our fortunes, everything that
we are and everything that we have
with the pride of those who know that
the day has como wien America is pro-
vided to spend her blood and her might
f0' the people That gave her birth and
happiness and the peace whllc she has
treasured.
God helping her. she can do no other