The labor world., 1920-10-09
AMERICA IS NO GUTTER.


We went into the world war with
our eyes open. We went into it because
there was nothing left for us to do.
We could not remain out Of it longer
than we did and preserve our self re-
spect as nation. We had been taunted
and insulted to the limit Of endurance.
We cuddled and catered to the paci-
fists who would see our country submit
to any humiliation rather than strike
back. We needed the pleadings of pro-
Germans while they conspired with
the Fatherland to blow up our fac
tories and destroy our commerce. We
endured it all until we were driven
like rodent to a corner and with our
back against the wall we were COM
PEELED to fight.
In the meantime the most monstrous
and brutal military machine the world
ever knew, glutting over its series of
victories, was planning on the end. It
was ~ 'ulo LuloPo anu PAdeo C'0Ay
country there under it's military domin-
ion. 1t proposed to strip it's opponents
of their armies and navies, steal their
trade and burden them with debts they
never would be able to pay. And then
what?
After all Europe had been subjected
to its will it planned by the superior
ity Of it's military machine which was
to be augmented by acquisitions from
its conquircd foes, to cross the Atlantic
and compel this country to pay the
monetary cost of the war; An impossi-
bility, you say. But had the United
States kept out of the conflict and
Germany had won, that was to be the
program Of its general staff, a thing
they boasted of every time they cele-
brated a victory. So confident were
the Kaiser and his marshals Of the Sc
curity Of their position and the invin-
cibility of their military organization
that they heaped insult after insult
upon US with impunity. >
When we awakened to a realization
Of the situation we saw our duty and
we went to it like men. The cost was
to be nothing to accomplish the thing
to be achieved. That autocratic power
we resolved to destroy. Every barrier
to the opportunity for freedom among
peoples we sWore to remove. And after
the job was done we were to take. part
in a movement to organize justice
throughout the world to the end that
there shall be no more war. That is
what was meant when it was said:
''This is war to end war, to make
the world safe for democracy
When our boys were in the field and
patriotism was at high pitch there
was perfect unanimity among our peo.
pie. Conspirators were cowed, political
intriguers rushed to cover, pro-Ger.
mans pretended friendship and sympa-
thy, and pacifists reluctantly swallowed
their peace-at-any-price principles. It
was the only safe thing for them to do.
When the armistice was signed only
one-half the job we set out to do was
completed. Soldiers had played their
part in subduing the enemy. It was
left for statesmen to cinch the victory.
Woodrow Wilson had become the rec
ognized spokesmen for the liberty low
ing peoples everywhere. He set out to
build machinery to organize Justice
throughout the world. The covenant
Of the League Of Nations was the re-
suit. Old world statesmen at first
shrugged their shoulders in doubt when
it was suggested, but their peoples
demanded it, and it was finally agreed
to. Nation after nation accepted the
league and all have entered it save
the United States and Honduras, which
is only waiting our action.
When our armies had returned the
tortoises protruded their heads. It was
now safe to do it. Conspirators and
rntriguers got new life and sprang up
again. Pro-Germans took On a new
cunning and started with as vicious
propaganda as they had used before we
entered the war to poison the we'll of
American public opinion against their
old enemy, Great Britain, the best
friend this nation has on earth Lodge,
the tortoise, and the other senatorial
intriguers have become drunk from the
pro-German cup of hate in their mad
desire to rob Woodrow Wilson of the
glory he has richly and deservedly
earned.
Shame on them, we say; yes, damn
them, they would sacrifice the peace,
happiness and prosperity Of the world,
aye, they would blight all hope for
freedom, to prevent Democratic pres
ident from consummating the greatest
accomplishment of all time to insure
s''urity and peace among all nations.
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