The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-03-04

they might be dismissed as mere COM
monplaces Of politics. But coming
from public man with the record OF
the senior Senator from North Dakota |
they suggest degree of self-abne- !
cation bordering almost upon rcn1orse-
ful humility. For certainly if 100 per
cent Amcricanism is an essential quail
ity OF a presidential candidate the
Senator'S record puts a finishing
touch to his many other disqualified
tons for that exalted office.
The Herald does not believe that
only in wartime can the highest evil
dcnces of sturdy patriotism be mani
fectcd. But undoubtedly in the fact
of Il menacing foreign enemy men are
apt to show most convincingly the
qualities within theu--to manifest a
yellow streak if there is touch of
that discredited color in their natures.
Let US consider how Gronna, who
now eulogizes the 100 per cent Amer
ncnaced this country
When the aggressions of Germany
upon our commerce, which had led
to the sacrifice Of more than 100
American lives, and the destruction of
many American ships, compelled the
President of the United Statcs--him-
self 100 percent American--to ask
Congress to declare war with Ger
many, what was the act of Senator
Gronna9
We find that on that fateful night
of April 6, 1917, the Senator from
North Dakota in response to the
Presidents appeal voted NAY!
All over the United States the best
and noblest of our youth were rush
ing to arms-though without any call
from Gronna The duty Of defending
the national duty very clear to those
fathers of the republic whom Gron-
ma now calls upon-was recognized as
universal duty Congress enacted
the draft law, enrolling in the army
for national defense all men Of mill
tary age.
Again Gronna voted NAY!
The type Of 100 per cent American
ism which he cherished as an ideal
seemed to contemplate no defense
against foreign aggression. nor any
sacrifice of comfort in the defense of
the nation which unfortunately suf-
fcv> him as Senator.
Nor do secret and sneaking enemies
within our borders rouse the Senator'S
patriotic wrath more than the armed
foes pressing on our armies IN the
field. The menace Of the German
propaganda, the pest of German spies,
the efforts to blow up our factories.
our bridges and our. ships impel!ed
Congress to enact an espionage law.
Upon it, as on every other measure
for national defense, Senator Gronna
voted NAY!
But why continue the list of the Ut
terly un-American and indefensible
votes upon vital war measures cast
by this smooth-voiced preacher Of a
100 per cent patriotism which he has
never practiced?
At some other time the record may
be profitably continued for the edifica-
ton of the very few who are unaware
that from the outset he was the I'M
failing supporter Of the policy that
would have left the nation naked be-
fore it's enemies.
Today he prates of the traditions of
the fathers--to every one OF which ne
has done violence--and declares, as
though the sentiment reflected pecu-
liar credit upon him, that only a 100
pc: cent American will have his sup
port for the presidency!
It might occur to ali American Of
that type that the support so lately
given. eagerly and strenuously, to the
avowed and armed enemies of the
United States might be best rejected.
Washington Herald.
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