The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-08-24
FACTS ABOUT THE WAR
SOME HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED
(By Col. D. A. Dickert)

(By Col D. A. Dickert)
1t is an old adage that "all nations
can have such governments as they
desire. and all wives such husbands
as they deserve If the people Of
Germany are satisfied with their gov
ernment, prosperous and contented
with the best schools and colleges,
best system of agriculture. and the
greatest of manufactures of war
is beneficial to mankind in all Europe,
with a friendly disposition for her
neighbors and helpful to her citizen
ship, why should we go into tangents
Alb, ut her "autocratic government
What has Russia had for undreds of
years but the most autocratic, and bar
barous government to her citizens
known since the dark ages, confn.
ing thousands of her innocent men
and women in the mines of Siberia,
without the semblance of trial.
Russia and England have been for
more than two hundred years, the
most warlike and grasping nations on
earth, robbing weaker nations OF
their land and liberties, wherever
these nations were too weak to defend
themselves and had no frieds to help
them. What have we ever said OF
done? Russia has been really the on
ly autocratic government in Eur be.
Germany is no more so, than the Unit
ed States and her kaiser, in many
things, has less power than our pres
ident, so whatever we do in the con-
test, let us be fair and just While
We know Germany to be a peacable
nation, with less wars to- her credit
than any of the contestdng parties.
don't let us make a monster of her,
just because we are going to war
with her. Since her existence as an
Empire, she has never shown any at
tempt to possess any territory on this
side of the Atlantic.
Secretary McAdoo declared in an
address to the bankers and business
ment out west that Pres. Wilson could
no more have kept US out of this war,
than the sun to fail to shine on the
earth tomorrow. Now he knew better
than that, when he spoke it, and so
did every man that heard him, for
how did other nations keep out? Why,
by simply asking our people to 10
what Germany very cordially request
ed them to do, keep off of ships cas-
rying conrtabands to her enemies.
She could more easily have kept out
of it, than spending billions OF mon
ey, by rushing us into it and upturn.
ing our whole Industrial fabric, leay-
ing our country in a worse state Of
unzest than ever since its foundation.
Why should not Germany be as much
entitled to her system of government,
without outside, interference, as Italy,
or England, or in fact any of the otn--
er governments in Europe, 50 long as
she does not interfere with others.
Would it betjust to Germany, who has
never done us any. harm, or right to
our people who were never consulted
about the justice of the cause, to
drag our young yeomen. our workmen.
miners and college students away
from their daily, avocatfons, and
thrust them into the trenches, made
vacant by the Russians, who were too
cowardly to defend them after
being one of the main instruments in
starting this unholy war? Why ex-
rend these billions Of dollars, tear
our country asunder, put our women
in state of frenzy, take our young
men. from schools and their daily
pursaitse ~ ">
Why should we drain oun country
of billions.of money to lendNo France
and italy 20 carry on a warhasains
one of our best friends, q country
with more kinsmen here than any
other nation, who have'bnilt up and
civilized our great northwest with 2.
descendApts>who, sit in our state coun-
ellis, and represent our people in the
United States congress? Show me
what the other 5ell;gerent5 have ever
done for us? -
I among many others-ao not think
it possible that this army that is
forming is to fight our former, and
stil1 our friend. The hearts Of our
people are not in this war. 800 out Of