Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-03

OOuC0. H 49,. o.
Could Never Be Our Friend.
I'VE are accepting this challenge
Of hostile purpose because we know
that In such a government, following
such methods, we can lever have q
friend; and that in the presence Of its
organised power. always lying in
wait to accomplish we know not
what purpose. there can be no as
sureds security for the democratic
1--WE are now about to accept the
gage of battle with this natural foe
to liberty and shall, II necessary,
spend the whole force of the nation
to check and nullify its ~pretensions
and its power. We are glad, now
that we g the facts with no veil of
false pretense about them. o fight
world and for the liberation of its
peoples, the German peoples in
cluded; for the rights of nations
great and small and the privilege of
men everywhere to choose their way
OF life and OF obedience.
"The world must be made safe for
democracy. Its peace must be planted
upon the trusted foundations of po-
litical liberty.
I'VE have nc selfish ends to serve.
We desire no conquest, no dominion.
w seek no indcmnities for our
selves, no material compensation for
the sacrifices we shall freely make.
1--WE r but one of the champions
of the rights of mankind. We shall
be satisfied when those rights have
been as secured as the faith and the
freedom of the nations q make
them.
"Just because we fight without
rancor and without selfish objects.
seeking nothing for ourselves but
what we shall wish to share as free
peoples. we shall. 1 feel confident,
without passion and ourselves OBJ
serve with proud punctiliousness the
principles of right of fair play we
profess to be fighting for.
No War With Austria-Yet.
Il have said nothing Of the gov-
ernments allied with the imperial
government of Germany, because
challenged us to defend u right and
our honor. The Austro-Hungarian
government has. indeed, avowed it's
unqualified endorsement and accept
ance Of the reckless M lawless sub
marine warfare adopted now without
disguise by he imperial German gov
eminent. and it has therefore o
been possible for this government to
receive Count Tarnowski. the ambas-
sador recently accredited to his gov
eminent by the imperial and royal
government Of Austria Hungary. but
that government has not actually en-
gagged in warfare against citizens Of
the United States on the seas, and I
take the liberty, for the present at
least. OF postponing a decision of our
relations with the authorities at
Vienna. We enter his war only
where we are clearly forced into It
because there are no other means of
defending our rights.
Germany Running Amuck.
1T will be all the easier for us to
conduct ourselves as belligerents in a
high spirit of right and fairness be-
cause we act without animus. in
enmity towards a people or with the
desire to bring any injury or dis
advantage upon them. but only in
armed opposition to IN irresponsible
government which has thrown aside
all considerations Of humanity and Of
right and Is running amuck.
we are. let me say again, the sin
cere friends of the German people,
and shall desire nothing so much as
the early re-establishmen Of intimate
relations OF mutual advantage be-
tween us-however hard it may be
for them, for the time being, t be-
lieve that this Is spoken from
hearts.
I'VE have borne with their present
government; through all these bitter
months because Of that friendship
exercising a patience and f~orbearance
which would otherwise have been i'm
possible.
I'VE shall, happily. still have an
opportunity to prove that friendship
in u daily attitude and. actions to-
wards the millions of men and wom-
en- of German birth and native SYM
patty who live amongst US and share
Il life. and we shall be proud to
prove it towards 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 II they had never
known n other fealty or allegiance.
They will be prompt to stand with
us in rebuking and restraining the
few who may be of q different mind
and purpose.
To Suppress Disloyalty.
"If there should he d%isloyalty, 1t
will he dealt with with a firm hand
OF stern ~repression: but IL 1t lifts its
head at all. 1t will lift it only here
and there and without countenance
except from a lawless and malignant
few.
tit is a distressing and oppressive
which I have performed in thus nd.
dressing YOU. There IN 1t may be,
many months Of fiery trial and of sac
rff1cc ahead Of Ms.
cit Is IL fearful thing to lead this
great peaceful country 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. md we shall fight for the
things which we have always carried
nearest our hearts-for democracy,
for the right of those who submit to
authority o have q voice in their own
governments. for the rights and lib
critics of small nations, for a univer-
sal domain Of right by such a concert
OF free peoples as shall bring peace
and safety to all nations and make
the world itself at least free,
ITO such q task we can dedicate
ives and our fortunes. everything
that We r and everything Tint We
have. with the pride Of those who
know that the day has come when
America is privileged to spend her
blood and her might for the princi-
pies that gave her birth and happi.
ness and the peace which she has
treasured, 1891
God helping her. she can do no
l.
A BATCH OF SMILES.
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