Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-14

full crew measure. In conclusion. he
referred to the war now in progress
and said in part:
THE transportation problem is one
that is of mighty concern to the Gov
ernment. and to our organization.
Our interests being with the rail-
roads, naturally we are interested in
everything affecting their operation,
but we must confine ourselves to but
one principle, and that is the princi-
pie of national defense. There is no
doubt but what we will be called
upon to make many sacrifices before
this war is brought to final victory,
and l am sure that there is no class
of men more loyal. more patriotic or
more ready to bear their share of the
burden than those who man the trains
that carry our products from one
point to another, but We must be
careful to see to it that we are not
caused to suffer sacrifices unneces-
sarily.
democracy is on trial. Autocracy,
monarchial boastfulness. the brute
force of military despots. have chal-
Ienged civilization; they have torn
loose their gigantic engines or de-
struction; they have strewn the land
with mangled bodies of brave men
and made the landscape vast area
of wreckage and ruin.
This country has taken up the
gauntlet. We have accepted the chal-
lenge in defiance of the war lords,
that the world must be made safe for
democracy
Therefore. the issue that presents
itself is, Shall the people rule, or
must they continue to bow before
the autocratic rule of military des-
pets? The answer is not far to seek
an
lightened; they are beginning to re-
sist the autocratic rule of despotic
rulers; higher and nobler ideals are
slowly, taking the place of imperial
ism; democracy is growing stronger
than autocracy; the rule, by and Tor
the people is surely supplanting the
rule by divine right of kings. Tne
ambitions and bloodthirsty war lords
of Europe have recognized the on
rushing tide of democracy and for
the last fifty years have been pre-
pairing to meet it, and to-day the
whole civilized world stands aghast
at their bloody deeds. They have
launched our whole civilized structure
into a sea of blood and murder. un-
precedented in all the annals of his
tory. In their thirst for increased
power. empire supremacy. territorial
conquest and imperialistic rule. they
of democracy.
SLOWLY the people have advanced
their ideals, through fire and sword,
through the most abominable perse-
cutions and frightfulness, the peasant
class have slowly fought their way
and are now surely approaching the
goal of democracy and freedom,
triumph of civilization.
"If the central powers are victori-
Gus, democracy will have received its
death blow, the progress of centuries
will count for naught, and civiliza-
tions countless heroes and martyrs
will have died in vain.
I'm the name of God, is all the
blood that has been shed by valient
men, women and children, is all the
blood that France has poured out on
her battlefields. are all the sacrifices
or Britain. Italy and Russia to be
wasted? I love peace as much as
any man on this EARTH and 1 pray for
peace. that we VIII make peace
when?
when the army of the German
empire is rolled back TO Berlin; when
from the fields and homes of France
and Italy arise the cloud of battle
and we hear the shout of victory;
when bleeding Belgium arises from
her .desolation and cries, GLORY!
Gloryw; when we hear the voice of
Poland shouting independence, when
we hear by the right of self-determi-
nation, Siberia, Montenegro and all
the races crying, Liberty! Liberty
through the wrath and the combined
efforts of the forces of civilization"