The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-22

sooner we have done with people in public life like LaFollette the better it will be for America
 *
 Antidraft Speakers
 Denounced by Root
 TN a gripping speech before the U National Security league in Chi cago a few nights ago Elihu Root de- fined who were traitors to the gov- ernment. He explained that our declaration of war against Germany completely changed the relations of all the inhabitants of the country to the subject of peace and war.
 No jurisconsult or statesman is abler in elucidating great truths of fundamental law or the principles of liberty than Mir. Root. And his re- marks in Chicago were particularly Illuminating.
 Before the declaration of war;" said MT. Root, everybody had right to discuss whether the United States should carry on war against Ger many. But the question of peace or war has now been decided by the President and Congress, not suddenly or rashly, but advisedly, after long delay and discussion; with patience under provocation after repeated diplomatic warnings to Germany known to the whole country"
 MT. Root then went on to show that when such a decision has been made, the duties, and therefore the rights of all the people of the country, im- mediately change. It becomes their duty to stop criticizing and act-to do everything in their power to en- able the government to succeed in the war. The following excerpts should be widely read.
 The men who are speaking and writ
 ing and printing arguments against
 the war now, and against everything that Is being done to carry on the
 war; are rendering more effective
 service to Germany than they could render in the field. The purpose and
 effect of what they are doing Is so plain that 1t is impossible to resist the conclusion that the greater part l of them are at heart traitors to the | United States, and wilful1y seeking to bring about the triumph of Ger many and the humiliation and defeat of their own country. It is beyond doubt that many of the | pacihsts, the opponents of the war after the war has been entered upon the men who are trying to stir up re- sistance to the draft, the men who are melting strikes in the particular branches of production which are
 necessary for the supply of arms and
 munitions of war, are Intentionally seeking to aid Germany and defeat the United States. AS time goes on and the character of these acts be- comes more clearly manifest, all who I1Sf come under the same condemnation as traitors to their country.
 The instinct of the American democ- racy which led them to act when it did arose from a long delayed and reluctant consciousness, still vague and half expressed, that this is no ordi- nary war which the world is waging. i It Is the climax of the supreme strug- gle between autocracy and democracy. If autocracy is defeated the nations are compelled to recognize the rules of law and of morals; then and then only will democracy be safe. /! To this great conflict for human
 rights and human liberty America has
 committed Itself There can be no
 backward step. There must be either
 humiliating and degrading subnis-
 sion or glorious victory.
 Traitors are not so blatant as they were a month ago, perhaps; not SC insinuating as they were before MT Root characterized certain of those in high places and said that all sucf should be taken out at sunrise anc shot. The raiding of I. W. W. quar ters has had something of quietins effect on the men who are aiding thu enemy. Yet there are far too man. men calling themselves pacifists wh' are traitors concealed under fals names.
 Did Any Congressman
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