Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1917 — BE LOYAL TO OUR PRESIDENT [ARTICLE]

BE LOYAL TO OUR PRESIDENT

Let Every True American Stand Firmly By the President In This Most Serious Moment. ■f . 0 ■ The people of this county should be of one tnind. The great* address made 'by President Wilson to the Congress of the United States last Saturday should convince every American citizen that he does not want war with Germany, but, iLwe must go to war in order to Uphold the honor of our country we will do so. We give below a few editorials and we believe those that uphold the president will appeal to the great majori--ty of our peoples—- ——-—- New York Sun—The president has won the full support of the American people and the respect of the world by the brave and vigorous action which he has taken in response to Germany’s insolent and injurious threat of a campaign of frightfulness at sea.~ in which American ships and American citizens are to be included as victims. The following editorials are taken from GermamAmerican papers, and show the patriotism to their adopted country of these people: Omaha German Tribune. —The break with ouV old Fatherland is at hand, and on account , of questions whose handling by our government sometimes seemed to us not entirely just and in keeping with the best interests of the future of our country. But we have duties toward our.adopted country, our allegiance belongs to America first, last and at all times. These duties we must. perform and will perform above all considerations, regardless of what the future ~may have in store for us. Detroit Free Press —President Wilson 'has taken the one course left for a self-respecting, courageous and honorable sovereign power. His act will have the approval of every genuine citizen of the United States. In his address to congress he has outlined a policy which v is sound and must receive the indorsement and support of the country. Citizens of alien ancestry we all are. Whether that ancestry is German or French or British, we must consider this crisis and its relations to ourselves as Americans and as no others. The hyphen has been obliterated. Where American rights and American honor are touched we are all Americans. Philadelphia Democrat and Gazette —Our duty as American citizens, makes it absolutely necessary for us to ’be loyal to the country that we swore allegiance to——the United States of America. As American citizens we don’t have to criticize the action of our government. We have to be loyal toward lfliE~~Stsrg~ ami Stripes and ever ready to defend them with the sacrifice of our life and property. There is only one loyalty for us and it belongs to the country of our choice, the .United States of conflict our choice and the sympathy for the Old Fatherland is now unthinkable. Our choice and our- allegiance dhow us the path we hdve tread. We have to fulfill our duty as American citizens whatever it may require. Cincinnati Enquirer—Presentation of passports to Ambassador von Bemstorff and the recall of Ambassador Gerard by the Government of the United States are not associated in any sense with differences between the Allies and the Central Powers that have made of all Europe, a shambles. In the causes and objectives of that sanguinary conflict we have and will have no part. Severance of diplomatic relations between Germany and the United States is emphatic and unmistakeable declaration that murder and piracy on the high seas are repugnant to the ideals and conscience of the United States and will not 'be tolerated. That and that alone is the issue 'between this government and that of 'Germany. Though, dynasties totter and nations crumble, law—national and international —lives, and to preserve its majesty and the sacred rights of humanity the government of the United States and the people of the United States are prepared to draw the sword. There is no division of opinion among the people of this country. As one man they will uphold the course of the administration—a course dictated by (honor, by conscience and by humanity. No other course was open with honor. The people of the United States want to believe with President Wilson that the German government will pay regard to the ancient friendship between the German people and our own, and the nation likewise will be loth to believe otherwise until actual overt__ acts against the people of the United States have 'been committed. Whether or not the severance of diplomatic relations lead%. to armed hostility, the government has spoken for the people of the United States in vindication of right, honor and national dignity.