The border vidette., 1917-04-07

| d great OouOnSCratlOn. Crowds
 on the outside of the capito
 cheered him frantically as he
 entered and as he left. Congress
 roared and cheer after cheer ir
 an outburst of patriotic enthu siasm.
 From the galleries the only
 members who appeared not tc be joining in the demonstrat tion
 were some senators of the grour
 whom he branded as "wilfuI
 members who, by preventing a vote on the armed neutrality bill
 had made the government of the United States contem ptia ble."
 Disclaiming any quarrel with the German people and anything
 but a feeling of friendship and sympathy for them, the presi. dent declared their govern ment had not acted upon their impulses in entering the war nor with their knowledge or ap proval.
 It was evident, the president added, that spies were here even before the war began. That the German government means to stir up enemies at the very door of the United States was shown by the revelation of the plot to embroil Japan and Mex ico in a war with the United States.
 Toward Germany's allies, the president said the United States would take no action at this time because they were not en- gagged. in warfare against the United States on the high seas.
 The United States. he said, was moving only against a gov ernment which has thrown aside all considerations of humanity and of right and is running amuck."
 The president expressed his confidence in the loyalty of the naturalized citizens and declared if disloyalty dared raise it's head it would be only from "a lawless and malignant few" and sternly would be suppressed.
 With a renewed declaration that the nation must unselfishly act, only for freedom, peace and humanity, the president left the questions with congress.
 In closing the President said:
 It is a distressing and op- pressive duty, gentlemen of the congress, which I have perform ed in thus addressing you. There may be many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is fearful thing to lead this great peaceful country into war, in to the most terrible and disa- strous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the bal ance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our heartS-for democracy, for the rights of those who submit to authority to have voice in their own governments. for the rights and liberties of small na- tions, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, every thing that we have with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happi- ness and the peace which she has treasured.
 God helping her, she can do no other"
 While the president was speak ing, word of the torpedoing without warning of the Amer ican steamer Aztec, the first ship to be attacked in the barred zone, was passed from mouth to mouth but the did not know of it until he had finished.
 While congress works tomor- row on the war resolution, the cabinet will hold a war session to which Major General Scott, chief of staff of the army, and Admiral Benson, chief of opera tions of the navy may be invited.
 The nation is on a war footing and now is only girding itself to take up the gauntlet that has been SO ruthloSSlV thrown down