Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-04-11
THE AMERICAN JUNKERS.
New York World of April ~

New York World of April ~
Two years ago yesterday, at noon
President Wilson signed the reso-
luton Of congress declaring that a
state Of war existed between the
Government of the United States and
the Imperial German Government.
The resolution which the Senate
adopted by vote of SO to on April
9Th. was adopted by the House of
Representatives at 3 o'clock in the
morning of April 9Th
Four days earlier, when President
Wilson appeared before Congress to
2sk for the declaration of war, he
had declared in the final words Of an
address that will always remain
among the greatest state papers in
the archives of free government:
But the right is more precious
than peace, and we shall fight for the
things which we have always carried
nearest our hearts-for democracy,
for the right of those who submit to
authority to have a voice in their
Governments, for the rights and liber-
lies or small nations, for universal
! dominion OF right by such a concert
OF free peoples as shall bring peace
!. and safety tO,all nations and make
i the world itself at last free. To such
= task we can dedicate our lives, our
fortunes. everything that we are
I and everything that we have, with
the pride Of those who know that the
day has come when America is priv
legged to spend her blood and her
might for the principles that gave
Eer birth and happiness and the
peace which she has treasured.
God helping her. she can do no
other.
1t was not until the war had been
Eloriously won and democracy had
Vindicated itself over autocracy that
americans could be found who were
prepared 10 challenge the Presidents
definition of the, aims and objects OF
Inc United States in launching all
lis military. financial and economic
powers against PruSSianiSm Now
there is d partisan chorus OF protest.
some of the most strident notes of
dissent coming from the lips Of Sena
tors who sprang to their feet on the
night OF April 2, 1917, and wildly ap-
plauded the sentiments that they now
repudiate.
Analysing their own minds and
their own emotions, they have de-
cided that the American people did
not go 10 war for any of the things
Tor which the President said they
went to war-that it was all a sor-
Old matter Of ships and trade and
commercial interests coupled with a
<owardly fear that If we did not whip
Germany while we had the British
and French and Italians to help us,
;he Germans might come across the
ocean some day and try to whip us.
IN snort. they are wholly in accord
with the Germans as to the motives
OF the American people in entering
the war. They are determined that
the United States shall be stripped
OF every shred Of idealism in order
10 find an excuse for peace that is
equally devoid of anything that re-
&embles ideals.
1t is a strange occupation for Am
orleans, and the best that can be said
for the men engaged in 1t is that they
do not believe what they themselves
say. nor does anybody else believe IL
except the German autocrats who
have been overthrown and driven
from power Certainly the world in
general does not believe it. and not
the least Of the achievements Of the
United States in this war is to emerge
from It with the confidence of all the
nations. large and small.
Never before was the prestige Of
the United States so great as it is
today. Never before was this coun-
try SO fully trusted; never before
was it SO freely recognized as the
unselfish champion Of human rights
and liberties. Never before did any
nation or any people WELD such
tremendous moral pawer.
1t is this that the opponents Of the
League OF Nations are demanding
that the United States shall sacrifice. |
Lest we should incur responsible !
ties, lest we should find II inconven-