In these days whenever an American citizen presumes to question the justification, either in law or morals, of our participation in the European war, he is at once denounced by the war party and the war press as disloyal to the country.
The war party in the United States seeks to justify our entrance into the bloody conflict on the ground that it is in the interest of democracy. But every man and every woman knows that there is a struggle going on to-day in every civilized nation between democracy and autocracy.
Every nation has its war party. It is not the party of democracy. It is the party of autocracy. It seeks to dominate absolutely. It is commercial, imperialistic, ruthless. It tolerates no opposition. It is just as arrogant, just as despotic, in London, or in Washington, …
In times of peace, the war party insists on making preparation for war. As soon as prepared for war, it insists on making war. If there is no sufficient reason for war, the war party will make war on one pretext, then invent another, possibly more effective pretext after war is on.
Before war is declared the war party assumes the divine right to denounce and silence all opposition to war as unpatriotic and cowardly.
After Congress has been bullied into a declaration of war, the politicians, the press, and the mercenaries of the war party assume authority to deny the right of American citizens to discuss the NECESSITY for the war, or the ultimate OBJECT and PURPOSE of the declaration of war.
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It appears to be the purpose of those conducting this procedure, to throw the country into a state of terror, to coerce public opinion, stifle criticism, suppress discussion of the issues of the, war and put a quietus on all opposition.
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It is time for the American people to assert and maintain their rights.
An American citizen has the right to discuss the issue of this war; one citizen may believe it inevitable, another may think it regrettable, each has the same right to express his opinion. An American citizen may state his opinion that we are not justified in prosecuting this war for the purpose of dictating the form of government which shall be maintained by our enemy-or our ally-and not be subject to punishment at law. He may denounce the policy of sending our boys to die on European battlefields for annexation of territory or the payment of war indemnities or the carrying out of trade agreements, and be within his legal rights. He may express the hope that an early peace may be secured on the terms set forth by the New Russia and by President Wilson in his speech of January 22nd, and he can not be lawfully sent to jail for the expression of his convictions.