The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-09-14

as seen at the national capital. He
held the closest attention of the au-
dience for more than two hours, tell
ing of the steps which forced the
United States to enter the carnage
and the adoption of the draft system
for securing a national army, and ex-
pressing the opinion that another six
months would see the war ended.
Mr.. Russell spoke in part as fol-
lows:
"You all remember that three years
ago, on the first day of this month,
when the war in Europe broke out,
the United States was at peace with
all the world, and the peace-loving
people Of our beloved country de-
sired to remain at peace with all man
kind, but from time to time the Ger
man government, disregarding our
rights as a neutral nation, violated
the rules and the presidents of in
ternational law by interfering with out
commerce upon the high seas by
destroying our ships and their car
goes and by taking the lives of nearly
800 of our citizens without giving
them any warning and without any
chance to escape. The most grievous
offense against the lives of our citi-
zens was the sinking of the Lusitania.
Upon that ship were about 1900 peo-
pie, and of this number more than a
Hundred were American citizens, men,
women and children, all peaceful and
unoffending, and all full Of life and
hope as they were returning to their
homes and fyiends In their native land.
This disaster was one OF the most
pathetic scenes that the angels Of
heaven ever beheld. Without a mo-
mcnt's warning, about 1900 men, wo-
men and children were sent to their
watery graves at the bottom of the
sea, and as they went down into the
cruel pillows Of the ocean they ex-
pended their last breath in singing that
beautiful and familiar song, Nearer,
Ny God, to Thee
"Ex-President Roosevelt has said
that if he had been President he would
lave asked Congress to declare war
at thet time, but President Wilson
desired peace as long as it could be
preserved with honor. He sought
and obtained promise from the Ger
man government that they would de-
sist in further assaults upon our ships
without giving sufficient warning to
enable our citizens to escape with
their lives. This pledge was sooF
broken and withdrawn. The viola
TORS of international law were con-
tinued with increased intensity. The
time then came when peace could no
longer be maintained with honor.
There are some things worse than
war-even worse than death itself.
One of them is national disgrace and
national dishonor. The President
called Congress together and asked
us to take action, which was prompt
" done, but bear in mind the resolu-
ton passed did not declare war against
Germany, but declared that war al
ready existed and that the United
States government would enter the
war and defend itself and the liber-
ty of its citizens.
Gas your representative in Con-
gress, voted for this resolution, be-
lieving as ! did that it was our duty
to defend the lives Of our people and
TO protect them in sailing tie open
seas that belong alike to the whole
world. In doing so, believed that
/ was rejecting the wishes of my con-
stituency, who had honored and trust
ed me.
"After tie war was declared, it was
necessary to provide for an army to
fight the war Some favored trying
to raise the necessary army by calling
for volunteers. Many others, includ-
ing the President and Secretary Of
War, favored CONSUMPTION. / was
convinced of the impossibility Of get
ting the required army by the volun-
teer plan alone. so voted for the con-
scription law. Time has demonstrated
that it was the only way to raise an
army. Every opportunity has been
given to those who desired to volun-
teer to do so, in the regular army, in
the National Guards, in the Navy and
in the Marine Corps, and still we were
short more than 100000 Of the re-
quired number. I believe our Amer
lean boys to be patriotic and brave
and willing to fight their country's
battles in the time Of its peril when
ever it is, necessary, but it is no dis
credit to them ti;at they preferred to
follow their ordinary peaceful pur-
suits until needed in their country's
defense. Nor does It indicate that
they are not as brave and as patriot
ic as those who have voluntarily en-
listed.
"I regret that it was necessary for
any of our ovs to be crlled from the
comforts of home and the pleasures
cf associations with home friends;
still believe that all of us who have
enjoyed the liberties won for US by
George Washington and other revo-
lutionRry fathers, should be willing
to fight, and if necessary to die to-
preserve these liberties for ourselves
and for those who shall come after US.
"Another question incidental to the
war and of great Importance was the
production and distribution of food,
feed and fuel. The allied countries
who are now fighting the common
enemy do not produce the food neces-
sary to feed their own people, hence
this country must help to feed them
as well as our soldiers on their shores.
Congress passed food control bill,
the purpose of which is two-fold-
first. to increase the production Of