The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-31

lHiIIIOl Idl uOCuIueuI VI Iue DeCldTd
ton of Independence has done more
to effect the politics of the human
race than all other nations in thu
world. You speak of the destiny of this
nation What greater destiny can b'
be in store for this republic than tt
be the liberator Of the worlds peO
pies?
No Longer An Experiment.
Washington said that the destin,
of the republican form Of govern
ment was staked on the experiment
entrusted to the American people
Today this republic stands no longer
an experiment.
We are great because we are right
eve hold these truths self evident
that all men are created equal; tha
they are endowed by their creator will
certain unalenable rights of life, Ii
berty and the pursuit of happiness
that to secure these rights govern
ments are instituted among men de
irving their just powers from the con
sent of the governed"
Can there be any question as to the
absolute truth of these principles sc
tersely stated? They must never be
repudiated
The Declaration of Independence is
the creed of this nation as the con
stitutiOn is it's Bible. Change of time
increase of power, marvellous progress
will never justify the American peo-
pie to move one step from where they
stand f1atfoOted upon the Declaration
1t was that mighty document which
created the nation, which saved il
when torn by conflict, which elected
Lincoln, which sent forth the Eman-
cipation Proclamation, which gave vic
tory to Grant at Appomatox
1t was the Declaration from which
was taken the Monroe Doctrine which
has made the Western Hemisphere a
family of republics and the United
States the supreme power on this con-
tinent.
1t was the Declaration which in
spired the mortal phrases and songs
to liberty that thrill the American
heart with patriotism. 1t is that in
spiration that moves the soul of Am
erica in it's present crisis. It has de-
termined the people of this nation to
fight until the doctrine that might
makes right shall no longer endanger
the higher destinies of mankind
"Then conquer we must, for our cause
it is just,
And this be our motto, In God is our
Trust
And the star spangled banner in tri-
umph shall wave,
Ger the land of the free and the
home of the brave
The conduct of every citizen of Wis
cOnsin with relation to the present
war is vital thing. Much has been
said about disloyalty in our state. Nc
American citizen who understands
that this struggle is death grapple
between monarchy and democracy
can be disloyal. If there be any who
do understand and who do not support
our government with all their minds
and with all their hearts, they are
disloyal and are not entitled to the
protection of our institutions and ou1
laws.
There are those who maintain that
Germany is democracy. Her history
and the conduct of her leaders give
the lie to that statement.
Germany and the United States have
developed side by side Frederick the
Great, the real founder of the German
Empire, was a contemporary of Wash
ingtOn.
The records of the two nations have
been written through the momentous
years that have passed 1t has been
my purpose to interpret the meaning
of democratic America What of Ger
many's government?
Frederick the Great had a vision. II
was the development of a Prussian
Empire by the force of arms. He had
no scruples about the rights of peo-
pies and openly avowed that the end
justified the means when the might OF
PruSSlan arms could conquer That is
the dominant principles of German
action today.
In the early part of the nineteenth
century two men were born who were
destined to influence the course of ma
tions. Lincoln and Bismarck, men OF
brains and power, embodied in them
selves the ideals of the governments tc
which they belonged
Lincoln, the great cOmmoner anC
savior of our republic who recognized
the advantages of strong nationa
government but established on the ba-
sis OF humanity and justice. He who
on the battlefield of Gettysburg pro.
claimed to the American people thai
they resolve their soldier dead "shal
not have died in vain" and that "a
government of the people, by the peo
pie and for the people shall not per.
ish from the earth"
Bismarck, the prince, who held his
position by royal decree, also recog-
nized the advantages of a strong cen
trail government. His ideal was an EN-
pire and not republic. By deceit, for.
gerry and falsehOOd he made enemies
of those whom he would destroy an(
took by force of arms the territory his
aims required. Schleswig-Holstein wa.
stolen from Denmark to make the Kie
canal and insure the maritime powe
of Germany. France was robbed O
Alsace Lorraine for coal and iron tt
supply German industries.
Kaiser Wilhelm inSnired hv the ax