The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-04-02
INDUSTRIOUS LIARS
IN WILMINGTON
So Says G. o. Wilder in Communication
Relative to His Attitude Toward
United States in War.

Editor of The Reformer:
During the demonstration in front
of my house last Tuesday night, it was
charged that | had said 81 would like
to see the kaiser in the White House. -
That Mrs. Wilder had said 81 would
rather help the Kaiser than help Will
son. etc.
Similar reports had previously
reached the ears of Mrs. Wilder and
myself, but we paid no attention to
them for we did not suppose that such
statements would be given credence by
the public at large.
However, our experience on the
above mentioned night would indicate
otherwise Therefore. | wish to say
that those statements are absolutely
and wholly false. Plainly, there is
some industrious liar or liars in Will
mington. We have never said or felt
that we wanted the United States
crushed or defeated in this war We
know that we form part of this
country, and in case Of defeat would
have to suffer with the rest.
There is no denying the fact that
| Germany has provoked us in many
ways Neither can il be truthfully de-
MED that the United States is wholly
innocent OF fault in the matter.
| regard our entrance into the war
as unnecessary and unwise. Now that
we are in, think great effort should
| be made to settle the trouble by agree
ment and stop, if possible, the further
spilling of blood.
/ If press reports are correct, the gov
eminent is in need of men, up to 50
years of age, TO help move men and
material 70 the field of battle across
the Atlantic. In the group of patri-
otic gentlemen O. which took part in
the demonstrations last Tuesday eve
ming there were but few whose ages
prevent them from joining this arm of
the service. And among those who
talked the most and the loudest l OBJ
served two men who are much under
30 years of age, who are unmarried
and seemed TO be physically fit. Why
ore these men not i'll the trenches
How can they longer look the world
in the face while wearing not the sol
dier s uniforms
| confess | am not strong on forms
More often than otherwise forms are
only eloaks to cover hypocrisy. He
who feels friendship for and loyalty
Ito another does. not continuously tel
his friend about his feelings. On tn,
contrary, he acts and lives his loyalty
and friendship. Flag waving and fial
worship are only forms. They can no
win this war. Coercion and persecu
ton are no evidence of patriotism. II,
who is genuinely patriotic and not
humbug, joins some branch OF the wa
machine if he can possibly do 50.
Finally, | would say that my opin
ions were not altered by my expert
, ence Tuesday night, nor am | humil
lated. Better men than have under
! gone similar experiences. The life o
: Diogenes was in danger in his HON
town. Socrates was forced TO drin
. the poison hemlock for running counte
to public opinion. Calico was perse
cuted for teaching the truths of a
tronomy.
Bigotrv and intolerance have bee
I conspicuous in all ages of the worlC
: The present is no exception. Thos
. who took part in the demonstration
Tuesday night have injured themselvt
more than me, and the markings on m
: house will stand as a monument
I their discredit and the towns.
4 c. o. WILDER.
Wilmington, March 81