The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-04-11
All Our Resources.

6, 1917, it was resolved
that the president be, and he is here
by, authorized and directed to employ
the entire naval and military forces Of
the United States and the resources Of
the government to carry on war
against the imperial German govern
ment; and to bring the conflict to a
successful termination all of the re-
sources of the country are hereby
pledged by the congress of the United
States.
That pledge of all their resources
was given by the people themselves,
through their chosen representatives.
Again by their own act the American
people are marshaling their resources
Ito bring the conflict to successful
termination" Upon the face of the
income tax returns required by law
to be filed not later than last night,
the people have assessed upon them
selves a tax of three billion dollars,
for it is certain that the estimated
yield of the corporation and Individual
income taxes, 6OO,OOO,OOO, will be
exceeded by many millions.
It is a transaction without precedent
or parallel in the history of govern
ment finance. The law prescribes the
rate and method, declares the rule;
the people themselves, individual tax
payers, officers and corporations, make
to the collector full disclosure of
their gains and record the sum of their
contributions to the federal treasury.
From his modest wage the toiler ten
ders a few dollars, from some of the
great corporations tens upon tens Of
millions are Forthcoming. All are
partners with the government in this
great undertaking to which their total
resources are pledged.
1t was no empty form Of words, that
pledge of April one year ago. When
the government engages all the re-
sources of the country it has, for
keeping it's covenant, the resource Of
an unlimited use of the taxing power.
But here the people are the govern
ment, they gave the pledge, they are
faithfully keeping it. By the volun-
tary disclosures Of the income tax re-
turns they avouch the common part
nership. Their gains and profits are
no longer their own to be employed at
will. There is the pledge, the word of
their agreement that there shall be
paid into the fund that is Ito bring
the conflict to a successful termina-
ton" whatever may be needed for that
end. It is an example of collective
endeavor a. thousand times more po-
tent than the socialists ever dreamed
of, because it is voluntary, eager, and
is prompted by a noble patriotism, the
antithesis of that artificial, sleazy in
ternationalism which the preachers of
Germantown doctrines of social level
ing and destruction have long offered
to the acceptance of the unbalanced
and the ignorant.
Three billions Of taxes assessed by
the people upon their own incomes;
eight and one-half billions already
paid into the treasury in exchange for
Liberty loan bonds, certificates of in
debtedness, war savings certificates,
and thrift stamps; three billions more
awaiting the third Liberty loan Of
April 6; and $4,400,000,0 advanced
in loans to the nations engaged with
us in the war for the destruction of
the great enemy of freedom and civil
cation. These are but early INSTALL
ments on account of the great pledge.
They have been extorted by no impe-
rial command, compelled by no ire
sponsible power. The pledge was
self-imposed, the taxes were laid, the
treasury obligations issued in pursu-
ance of the peoples laws. Their will
spoke in the votes that carried all
these measures to enactment, their
hearts and souls are engaged with full
commitment in the cause to which
their lives, their fortunes, and their
honor are pledged.
The American people may be bit
deliberate in finding their place, full
armed, upon the battle front; unlike
the Germans, they have not made war
their chief business. But there are
one hundred millions of them, and
their national resources are the great
est on earth. They are united, they
have taken their resolve, they are in
the war until it shall end in a peace
Of justice and security for life and lib
erty. Germany, at this moment see
ing very red, or quite blinded by blood
and passion, may now take little note
of what we do. But her accounting
with us will come. It might be better
for Berlin to take some thought about
it even while German armies are beat
ing their heads against the wall of
British and French resistance. Cen
oral Pershinu smoke for a h,,ndrod