Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-04-12
CAST SELFISH DOMINIONS
DOWN IN THE DUST


the Ukraine, In Rumania. The real
test Of their justice and fair play has
come. From this we may Judge the
rest. They are enjoying In Russia \
cheap triumph In which no brave or
gallant nation can long take pride. A
great people. helpless by their own
act. lies for the time at their mercy.
Their fair professions are forgotten.
They nowhere set up justice but ev.
erywhere impose their power and ex.
plot everything for their own use and
aggrandizement; and the peoples OF
conquered provinces are invited to
be free under their dominion.
Are we not justified In believing
that they would do the same things
at their western front II they were
not there face to face with armies
whom even their countless divisions
cannot overcome?
III they have felt their check to be
final, they should propose favorable
and equitable terms with regard to
Belgium and France. and Italy, could
they blame us II we concluded that
they did so only to assure themselves
OF free hand IN Russia and the East?
Their purpose is undoubtedly to
make all Slavic peoples, all the free
and ambitious nations OF the Baltic pc.
ninsula, all the lands that Turkey has
dominated and msruled. subject to
their will and ambition and build upon
that dominion an empire OF force upon
which they fancy that they can erect
an empire Of gain and commercial 81.
premacy-an empire as hostile to the
Americas as to the Europe which II
will overawe-an empire which will
ultimately master Persia. India and
the peoples of the Far East. In such
a program our ideals. the ideals OF
justice and humanity and liberty, the
OF the free self.dstermina.
ton OF nations upon which all the
modern world insists, can play no
part. They are rejected for the ideals
Of power. for the principle that the
strong must rule the weak. that trade
must follow the flag. whether those to
whom II Is taken welcome II or not.
that the peoples Of the world are to
be made subject to the patronage and
overlordshlp of those who have the
power to enforce II.
THAT program, once carried out.
America and all who care or dare to
stand with her must arm and prepare
to contest the mastery OF
the world. a mastery in which the
rights OF common men, the rights OF
women and OF all who are weak. must
for the time being. be trod under
feet and be disregarded, the old age
long struggle for freedom and right
begin again at its beginning. Every.
thing that America has lived for and
loved and grown great to vindicate
and bring to a glorious realization will
have fallen In utter ruin and gates OF
mercy once more pitilessly shut upon
mankind
THE thing is preposterous and i'm.
possible. and yet. is not that what the
whole course and action OF the Ger
man armies has meant wherever they
have moved! do not wish, even In
this moment OF utter establishment.
to Judge harshly or unrighteously,
Judge only what the German arms
have accomplished with IMPLYING
thoroughness throughout every fair re.
glon they have touched.
What then are we to do? For my
self am ready. ready still. ready
even now. to discuss fair and just
and honest peace at any time that II
Is sincerely purposed-a peace IN
which the strong and the weak shall
fare alike. But the answer. when
proposed such peace. came from the
German commanders In Russia. and
can not mistake the meaning OF the
answer.
~ accept the challenge. know that
you will accept II. All the world shall
know that you accept IT, 1t shall ap-
pear in the utter sacrifices and self
with which we shall
give all that we love and all that we
have to redeem the world and make II
At for free men like ourselves to live
In. This now is the meaning OF all
that we do. Let everything that we
say, my fellow countrymen, everything
that we henceforth plan and accom-
plish, ring true to this response till
the majesty and might Of our concert
ed power shall flll the thought and
utterly defeat the force OF those who
fout and msprize what we honor and
hold dear. Germany has once more
said that force, and force alone. shall
decide whether justice and peace shall
reign in the affairs Of men, whether
right as America conceives 1t, or do
minion as she conceives IT, shall de-
termine the destinies OF mankind.
There is, therefore, but one response
possible from us: force, force to the
utmost, force without stint or limit.
the righteous and triumphant force
which shall make right the law OF the
world and cast every selfish dominion
down in the dust"