Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-09-25

not to the king of England but to the
cabinet and parliament. That we
are in fact fighting the battles OF
democracy ought to be demonstrated
conclusiveiy in the minds of every
one when we stop to consider that
during the course of this war the
Russian autocracy has fallen and :
of the results of victory;1if victory we
have, will be the establishment upon
firm and sure foundations of a really
democratic government in the land of
the cars and we shall fight not only
to preserve our own rights, privileges
and liberties, but to preserve to the
Russian people and to all people now
and forevermore hereafter the right of
self government. This is not a
war of conquest. We seek no new
territory, no indemnities. We seek
to secure for ourselves and all others
similarly situated the right of self
government. There can be no doubt
in the mind of any thinking person
that if the central powers are vic
tOrious in this war, the heavy hand of
the oppressor will be laid upon every
democracy in the world.
1t may be difficult for those of us
who have not given this matter much
thought and much attention to real
ize in its fullness the real character
of this struggle. We fight to preserve
democracy and representative govern
ment. We have chosen from among
our number a man of high charac-
ter and great learning to be our presi-
dent. We have charged him by our
constitution and by our laws with
the duty of directing this nation.
With our request to become president
went our pledge, express and implied,
that we would, in all his efforts to
maintain and uphold the constitution
and laws of this country, support and
uphold him.
War BY Peoples Agents
The people of the several states
have chosen from among their num-
beg, two senators from each state
men chosen for their character ability
and learning to represent us in the
senate of the United States. The
people have chosen from each con-
gressional district 1875 men to repre-
sent them in the House of Representa-
tives with full knowledge-much more
knowledge than it is possible for any
private citizen to have-having a COM
plete realization of their responsibility
in the matter, said that it is neces-
sary for us, in order to maintain our
to take part in this world
war. They have spoken. War has
been declared. We have made an
enemy of the great combined central
powers. There remains nothing for
us but to support our government in
this great contest until final and COM
plete victory is assured to us, or else
to be branded a nation of slackers and
towards; people without spirit, a
people unable to protect themselves in
the enjoyment of their rights. If we
have doubts and questionings, if our
Judgment and opinions run counter to |
those of our representatives it is our
duty under present conditions to put |
them aside and devote ourselves |
and unreservedly to |
the winning of this war, for in no 9TH |
er way can this nation maintain itself. |
If we fail, for every dollar we
spend in this war we will be obliged |
% pay ten in indemnities. Many well |
informed persons believe that Ger
many sought war with this country |
or the purpose of compelling us to
pay a high indemnity. If she wins,
Why should she not compel us TO pay
IN indemnity and if she wins there
an be 10 reasonable doubt but that
he will While many lives must be
,acrificed to win this war, if we do
Tot win il our children will live, NOT
he lives of free men, but the lives
# vassals to a king.
Many persons honestly believe that
,ur soldiers should not be sent to
france and many specious arguments
re advanced in support Of this prop
,sition. The answer seems plain and
imple.
Thank God War is Not Here.
Our liberties and rights are threat
ned by the military autocracy which
ules the German Empire. The attack
hreatens not only the integrity of
ur institutions but those of our al
es. England and France. The same
rutaI power that would destroy and
evastate France and England would
estroy and devastate US, therefore IL