Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-06

to express the opinion that IL Will DC
impossible to deal in any but q very
wasteful and extravagant fashion with
the enormous appropriations Of the pub
lie moneys which must continue to be
made II the war IL to be properly sus-
tanned, unless the House will consent to
return to its former practice Of initiat-
ing and preparing all appropriation bills
through q single committee In order that
responsibility may be centered, expendi-
lures standardized and made uniform and
waste and duplication as much as possi-
BILE avoided.
Additional legislation may also become
necessary before the present Congress
again adjourns In order to effect the most
sfYicient coordination and operation Of
the railroad and other transportation sys-
TENS Of the country; but to that shall,
II circumstances should demand. call the
attention Of the Congress upon another
occasion.
II have overlooked anything that
ought to be done for the more effective
conduct Of the war. your own counsels
will supply the omission. What am
perfectly clear about Is that In the pres
ent session Of the Congress our whole
attention and energy should be concen.
trated on the vigorous. rapid and success.
full prosecution Of the great task Of win.
ming the war.
We can do this with all the greater
zeal and enthusiasm because We know
that for US this 10 a war Of high prin.
ciple, debased by no selfish ambition OF
conquest or spoliation because We know.
and all the world knows. that we have
been forced into II to save the very in
and destruction.
OUR CAUSE WORTH WHILE.
The purposes Of the central powers
strike straight at the very heart Of every
thing we believe in; their methods Of war.
fare outrage every principle Of human.
corrupted the very thought and spiri,
| Of many Of our people: their sinister
and secret diplomacy has sought to TAKE
our very territory away from us and dis
rupt the union Of the States. Our safet,
would be at an end. our honor forever
sullied and brought into contempt wer'
we to permit their triumph. They ar
, striking at the very existence Of democ
, racy and liberty.
, 1t is because It is for us a war Of high
, disinterested purpose. in which all tn
: free peoples Of the world are banded to
gether for the vindication Of right,
war for the preservation Of our natiol
\ Of all that It has held dear Of principl
and Of purpose. that we feel ourselve
doubly constrained to propose for its out
come only that which Is righteous and Q
; irreproachable intention. for our foes a
we'll as for our friends. The cause bein
3 just and holy, the settlement must b
Of like motive and equality. For th
we can fight. but for nothing less nobl
!; or less worthy Of our traditions. Fc
Q this cause we entered the war and fc
this cause will we battle until the la,
). gun Is fired.
have spoken plainly because this seer
to me the time when 1t Is most necei
l. sary to speak plainly, in order that a
q the world may know that even in tt
9 heat and ardor Of the struggle and whe
g our whole thought Is Of carrying the We
r through to its end we have not forgotte
o any ideal or principle for which the nan
Of America has been held in honor amor
the nations and for which 1t has bee
II our glory to contend in the great gener,
tions that went before US. A supren
moment Of history has come. The ey,
o Of the people have been opened and the
I, see. The hand Of God is laid on the nj
y tons. He will show them favor.
lie voutly believe. only II they rise to Il
Al clear heights of His own Justice AZ
l. mercy.
:. The Congress Of Vienna. to which Pre-.
- dent Wilson referred in his message {
~, day, was held September. 1874. to Jur
:. 1915. for the purpose Of settling the affai
I =. Of Europe at the close Of the Napoleon
;" wars. 1t was attended by the monarc
Of Russia, Prussia. Austria. Denmark Al
10 Bavaria, and various smaller Germ
er states. and by representatives Of Englar
'e France and Belgium.
OF Among its chief stipulations were: T
le retention by France Of the boundari
re existing at the outbreak Of the F'ren
" revolution; the restoration Of the Austri
Gu monarchy without Belgium. Breisgau a
w West Galicia. but with the addition
'e venetia and Dalmatia; the formation
~ the German confederation under
hegemony Of Austria: the creation Of
% new Poland under the Russian dynast
a. the establishments Of q kingdom Of T
~ Netherlands. including Holland and B
- gium; the retention OF Norway by Swedt
retention Of Finland by Russia; and I
reconstruction Of the Swiss confedera
with enlarged limits.
Under these stipulations many ra,
he vera brouRht undAr thA aoverAi1ntv