Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-26
ISSUES A SCATHING
REBUKE TO LAW
VIOLATORS
ADDRESSES NATION
ISSUES PROCLAMATION CALLING
ON LAW ABIDING CiTlZENRY TO
PUT END FOR ALL TIME TO
RIOTS AND DISTURBANCES

Washinton. July 26--President vii
son today placed lynchsrs squarely ON
the side OF Germany
In stirring denunciation OF mob
rule and plea to all Americans TO
make an end of this disgracetul evil"
ne declared that any man who even
60 much as countenances mob action
Is 6etrayer of American democracy
and adopts the standards of the en-
emies of his country, whom he affects
TO despise'
The presidents statement addressed
TO My fellow c0untrymen,' was in
spired by the numerous lynchings OF
Whlch suspected proGermans were
the victims. 1t is understood, how.
ever that the lynchings Of Robert
+ .Pfaeger al Collinsvlle. H.. last
April was responsible more than any
other for the Presidents appeal to,
day
Every lynching, the President points
OUT, Is a blow at the heart of law
and Justice and directly opposed to
the principles for which America. AZ
democracy, stands.
How shall We he asks commend
democracy to the acceptance OF other
peoples il we disgrace our own b,
proving it Is. after all, no Protection
to the weak"
The President stresses the point
that America, as nation. is enaged
In flghtlng mob rule on vast scale
hghling lawleSs passion born OF the
very fact that Germany has outlawed
herself in The courts of the world BY
making lynchers of her armies. And
individual lynChers in America are
emnlatns Germanys example. the
President said
Declaring that mob rule cannot live
where the com fIunity does not conn,
tenance it, the President calls upon
the official and civil population Ia
cooperate, mot passiyely, merely.
but actively and watchlully," to see
that the laws of the nation are KEEP
nviolate and to show an utter con.
tempt for the things that have made
this war hideous among the wars of
history"
The text of the Presidents state
ment follows:
MY Fellow Countrymen:
Il take the liberty of addressing you
upon subjec. which so yitally af.
fects the honor Of the nation and the
very character and integrity of our
institutions that trust you will
think me justified in speaking very
plainly about II.
i allnde to the mob spirit which
has recently here and there very fre
quentIy shown its head amongst US
not in any single region, but in man,
and widely separated parts of the
country. There have been many
lynchings, and every one of then
has been a blow at the heart of or
dered law and humane Justice. Nl
man who loves America, no maa VIII
really cares for her fame and honor
and character or who IL truly Iowa
to her institutions. can justify mol
action while the courts are open and
the governments of the states anl
the nation are ready and able to dt
their duty. We are at this very mo
ment lighting lawless passion. Ger
many has outlawed herself among the
nations because she has disrearde'
obligations Of law and has mad,
lynchers of her armies. Lyncher
emulate her disgrlcetu example
for my part, am anxious to see ever,
community in America rise above lha
level, with pride and fixed resolu
aftord to despise.
We proudly claim to be the chan
pions OF democracy, II We really are
indeed, and in truth, let us see to
that We do not diseredit our own.
say plainly that every American VIII
takes part in the action of mob o
gives 1t any sort Of countenance is n