The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-29
ehe undesirable. the immense rcspon.
sibility which we are bearing despite
all the blows we are receiving.

Citizens, the state is passing
through period of mortal danger
do not say more. for you all under.
stand. You see Il, for each of you
experiences 1t, in different way
You all know the task incumbent up.
on you. for the struggle against a
powerful implacable and organized
enemy demands great sacrifices, self
denial, deep love of our country and
the forgetting of domestic auarrels.
Unfortunately not all who are able
are wiling to offer all this on the
altar of their country, ruined by war,
and they thus render the critical sit.
uation of our country more serious
every day.
I'm our political life this process
OF disorganization is worse, even
causing certain nationalities living in
Russia to seek their salvation, not in
close union with the mother country,
but In separatist aspirations. On top
of all this came shameful events at
the front when Russian troops, for
getting their duty to the country,
gave away without resistance to pres
sure of the enemy and thus forged
for their people fresh chains of des-
potism.
I'VE feel so low because we could
ont free ourselves from the fatal in
heritance of the old regime that we
hated but obeyed because we feared
It. Therefore now, when power rests
on liberty. not on bayonets, we are
transported with delight, although
there is some hereditary distrust of
this new power.
Those who once trembled before
The government Of autocrats now
boldly march against the government
with arms in hand. But let them
that our patience has its
limits and that those who 60 beyond
them will have to settle with a gov
ernment which will make them re-
member the time of czarism. We shall
be implacable because we are con-
Vinced that supreme power alone can
assure the salvation of the country.
That Is why I shall oppose ener-
getically all attempts to take advan-
age Of Russia's national misfortunes,
Ind whatever ultimatum is presented
shall subject It to the supreme
power and to myself, its head"
The premier declared that the de-
'tructive period of the revolution had
passed and that the time had come
% consolidate its conquest.
For this reason" he continued.
we ask you citizens whether you feel
within your heart the indispensable
acred fire for the attainment of this
object. whether you represent here in
Moscow the national strength which
8 necessary to assure the prosperity
II the country. Or will you give the
world and us another picture of de-
,adence?
"A little time ago we Indignantly
'eplied to proposal to conclude a
peace. A few days ago we
Witnessed another attempt equally
'ase. directed against our allies. The
after rejected it with equal indigna-
ion and In the name of the great
Russian people say to our allies that
t was the only reply we expected of
hem."
At this point the delegates arose
md cheered loudly the diplomatic
representatives of the entente allied
,owers.
The premier then paid tribute to
he Roumanians, saying that If they
we're forced temporarily to abandon
heir country, they would find hospi-
atty IN RUSSIA.
Notwithstanding the none too
friendly attitude toward the mother
country OF certain nationalities of the
State, M. Kerensky contin-
Jed, the Russian democracy would
give them all It promised through the
government and all that
the constituent assembly might yet
decide to grant. but when the limit
Of tolerance was passed or where
there was desir, to take advantage of
the nations difficulties in order to
violate the free will Of Russia, they
would cry hands Off"
The premier said the government
would prevent by force reopening of