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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1916)
"I The Commoner FEBRUARY; 1916 25 but I have felt impelled to write you just the same. I want you to know, and I am not a democrat, and never have been, that I think you represent the very highest and best type of American manhood. God bless you. I have thought very highly of you for a good many years, and have cast my vote for you several times, but noth ing that I have known of you has pleased mo more than your article: "The War in Europe and its Lessons for us," which I have just finished reading. I said, "Amen" a good many times during its perusal, and I am sure it would find an echo in the hearts of all true Americans, could they be privileged to read it. Would that every American newspaper would regard it as a high privilege to print it. The people ought to hear that message. propriation in the interest of the war traffickers, is the greatest steal that has been before tho people of the United States. Mr. Bryan is doing a great work for the American people: ho is right on this question, as he has always been on others. N. A. Evans, Marshalltown, la.: I have taken your advice and written personal letters to our two United States senators, Hon. A. B. Cummins and Hon. W. S. Kenyon, and United States Representative James W. Good, 5th district, Iowa. I heard favorably for peace and against the war gangsters. Tho voters who read don't believe in the war write-ups, paid for by the munition manufac turers' gang. I am a La Follette re publican and a Bryan democrat, and have twice been a state delegate to nominate Hon. A. B. Cummins for governor of Iowa; a prohibitionist and a greenbacker of the J. B. Weaver type. Would vote for Bryan for president on his peace policies alone, if ever given a chance. Out of one hundred voters canvassed, 90 were for peace at any price, against war at any price, and favor taking all profit out of war material. Keep right on and the people, without re gardJ,o,j?ajty, lines, will back you up. It's-a common remark for voters to say "It's a good thing Roosevelt isn't president or we would have been in war long ago. Jas. C. Armor, Pittsfield, Mass.: At this particular time in the world's history it would be, I believe, a na tional sin for this country to adopt the so-called preparedness policy. I am persuaded that the majority of our citizens want a policy of national righteousness, justice and integrity; believing that such a policy will pre serve us from an attack, far better than .a slick corporation lawyer's policy, backed by a large army and navy. As Mr. Bryan is earnestly striving for the attainment of the above-mentioned national virtues, he can count on my hearty support. A meeting was recently held hero in Pittsfield to protest against a "hasty preparedness," at which Mr. Garfield, president of Williams college, deliv ered an able and interesting address to about 300 people. I am told that practically every clergyman, both Protestant and Catholic, in this city is opposed to the militaristic propa ganda which is by its advocates called "preparedness." pioned, and mean more to the suc cess or failure of tho party. With the carrying out of the preparedness program means the undoing of what wo have fought for for years, as well as a long step towards war, rather than unfolding tho banner of peace through reason, that so becomes a brave, Christian nation. May the God of our fathers lead to a victor ious end. N. E. Smith, Galeton, Colo.: Mr. Bryan is right on "preparedness," as nine out of ten will tell you. J. W. Christy, Vancouver, Wash.: I wish that every thinking person in the United States could read the No vember number of The Commoner. The speech of General Isaac R. Sher wood, the letter of Claude Kitchin to the New York World bureau, and the speech of W. J. Bryan at Johnstown, Pa., each contain unanswerable ar guments against the policy of pre paredness (so called), besides a large number of special articles by the ed itor and others, that set forth an array of facts and figures that no un prejudiced mind can gainsay. 'When you were at the head of the state de partment your work was of vast im port, but, to my mind, your present efforts are along lines that are of vastly more importance to the Amer ican people. Our present secretary of state Mr. Lansing is filling the place nobly, but it seems there is no other so well equipped with courage and ability to carry on this fight of anti-militarism as yourself, and may He in whom you place your im plicit trust ever be with you to guide and direct, and at last bring victory to you and all others engaged in fighting the great octopus. A. R. Yeiser, Utica, Ky.: Many subscribers express a wish that you publish in full the names of both representatives and senators, and show how each vote is cast both for and against the proposed military preparedness. We are bitterly op posed to any increase in the army, as we consider such an increase a menace to the people's liberty. God speed you in your work. I am send ing eight yearly subscriptions. Oscar Powell, King, N. M.: Go on with the work God has for you to do. As Moses was called to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt and bondage, so J believe your calling is almost as great, to save us from preparedness. John R. Simpson, Fontanelle, O.: I fully endorse Mr. Bryan's position on "preparedness." I never voted anything but the democratic ticket; I will not support Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bry an or any other man, in tho Novem ber election next fall, on a prepared ness platform. I am apprehensive lest President Wilson's program of "preparedness" will wreck his- party at the polls this fall. In view of the fact that the whole history of the democratic party has been against a large army and navy, this would seem to be the logical outcome of such a course. I am, personally, in .favor of reducing the army and navy, say fifty per cent at least we have no uso for a large array or navy unless it.be to squander the tax-payers' money on. Hail to W. J. Bryan, the champion of peace. May he live to see the day and hear the plaudits of the nations of earth say "Well done, thou good and faithful ser vant." Enclosed find a list of ten yearly subscriptions. vise congress. Wo are at a great dis advantage here, because we have no state paper. I wish wo had The Commoner in every home. Keep tho light burning. Herewith club of five yearly subscriptions. J. M. Julian, El Centro, Calif.: Wo are with you in your fight on pre paredness. Wo are for peace and not for war. We do not believe in a large army to keep in barracks and draw pay and expense in preparation to fight an imaginary enemy. C. S. Brakke, Flandreau, S. Dak.: I wish to convey my thanks to Mr. W. J. Bryan for the great work that he is doing against the preparedness program that has been launched in the east, and for the moral uplift that he is proclaiming everywhere. May his strength and courage never fail him. Thos. B. Powell, Vienna, 111.: En closed find my check to pay for club of five subscriptions and extra copies of The Commoner, to be sent to the enclosed list. There is no question ih my mind that the big steal now before congress to make the big ap- C. F. Linscott, Syracuse, Kan.: I read with much interest the letters In the November number of The Com moner, supporting Mr. Bryan in his effort to stem the tide of the jingoes' preparedness plan. I am sending herewith the result of an hour spent in circulating a blank for signatures, to send to Washington, opposing the preparedness plan as already mapped out by the Navy league. My interview covered one side of Main street for tho distance of three blocks, and re sulted as follows: Number inter viewed, 40; opposing preparedness and signing blank, 18; favoring the jingo preparedness, 4; 18 thought they were not posted enough to ad vise Washington; first total, 40; dem ocrats interviewed, 19, signing,-10; republicans interviewed, 15, signing, 2; socialists interviewed G, signing 6; second total, 18; business men inter viewed, 15, signing, 3; lawyers interviewed, 5, signing, 1; num ber of workingmen, including clerks, interviewed, 20, signing 14; third total, 18. C. W. Wallace, Lewiston, Mo.: With the repeated howl of a suspi cious and distrustful people, the great issues that have found birth in the heart and mind of the greatest statesman of a generation have been woven into law for the betterment of our race, by both friend and foe, and as the standard bearer three times fought in a lost cause, yet with hon ors overwhelming, carrying a larger vote than any democrat ever polled by more than a million voters, may we not well afford to listen with bated breath to the words of warn ing? The issues of today are more vital than any you have ever cham- H. E. Barrett, Rushville, Ind.: Keep The Commoner warm against preparedness so-called. As a rule here the people think the President has gone too far in his efforts to ad- Wm. Morris, Kennedy, 111.: I am bitterly opposed to the program for military "preparedness," and have been from tho first. If it goes through I firmly believe that it will defeat tho democratic ticket this fall. W. C. Whitwell, Salmon, Ida.: God bless you in your fight against mil itarism, under the guise of "pre paredness." Tho old democratic guards here are with you. A. R. McCall, Albany, Orcg.: I hope to be able to send you some more new subscribers in the near future. Herewith find qlub of six with draft to pay for the same. Mrs. G. G. Vivian, Butte, Mont.: We are all with you in your fight against preparedness, and so thank ful we have a leader like Mr. Bryan. We pray that God will keep him In health and strength for many years. You will find herewith money order for $3.00 to pay for five yearly sub scriptions to The Commoner. Mr. G. S. Knipo, Toppenish, Wash. I have watched Mr. Bryan's public 7. life for a good many years, and it seems to me he is always right, and The World's Famous Orations A Collection of the World's Most Brilliant Speeches on all Subjects from all Ages and Nations Compiled and Edited by WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN Speeches That Have Made History Theie ten volumes, containing the great masterpieces of oratory from ancient Greece down to the present day, in clude many that are famous as Mark Antony's over the dead body of Caesar; Burke at the trial of Warren Has tings; Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty" speech; Lincoln's "House Divided Against Itself"; Wolfe's Ad dress before Quebec; Goldwin Smith's "The Secret Beyond Science"; John Morley's Pittsburg Address; Lord Rose bery on Robert Burns, as well as many other famous epoch-making orations. The Wkele Set Year L&rary TMe All Car riage Ckarges Paid by Us, asd Witksat a Csat ixem Ysh. 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