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tl GJi The Commoner 30 V0L- 17, No. 3 w fr- Washington Peace Demonstration Heprintod from tho Now York unions. Notwithstanding the het- Evoning-Post, February 13, 1917J Washington, D. C, February 12. It takos a great deal of courage to lnvado the national capital these days and demonstrate about peace or anything olso in tho face of sneers." Tho very word "pacifist" Is hardly euphemism in tho midst of outcries about "patriotism" and "undivided America." But the Lin coln's Birthday demonstration of the group of two hundred or more pa cifists who vehemently declared themselves on the question of keep ing out of tho European war was something which penetrated beneath tho surface To say that it converted those who would impetuously plunge tho coun try into war would be far from the truth. But it did serve as a vivid reminder to legislators and official that thore is in America today a mil itant spirit against war, against mil itarism, and all that the war-systems of Europe connote. It gave notice of the certain concentration in this country in the event of vmr of all the liberal groups and elements akin to those which are slowly but surely making themselves felt as a factor for peace in all bolligorent countries. It breathed into the tense atmos phere of Washington a spirit of en ergetic opposition to American par ticipation in tho war. From Morning Until Lato at Night Speeches from early morning un til late at night, at the capltol, at several conferences in the committee Tooma, at the hotels, at the White house and at the church auditorium in the evening, were received with enthusiasm and . sympathetic re sponse. Throughout tho day the hastily organized meetings attracted crowds of people who applauded and cheered the arguments against war with a fervor almost religious. Tho delegation which came to Washington under the auspiceB of the Emergency Peace Federation of New York was .made up of social workers, pacifists, anti-militarists,, representa44yes of religious organi zations, peace societies, and -labor Cured His RUPTURE I wis badly ruptured w-hllo. lifting a trunk several years ago. Doctors said my only hope o euro was an operation. Trussos did mo no gotid. Finally I got hold of something that quickly and com pletely cured mo. Years have passed and tho rupture has riovor risturnod, although I am doing hard work as a carpontor. " There was no operation, no lost time, no trouble. I liavo nothing to sell, but will glvo full Information about how you may And a complete cure without operation, If you wrlto to mo, Eugono M. Pullen, Car pontor, 823C Marcellus Avonuo, Manas quan, N. J. Bettor cut out this notlco and show it to any others who aro ruptured you may savo a mo or at icast scop tho misery of rupture and tho worry and danger of an oporatlon. ttH&UMATISM Cured I will gladly sond any Rheumatism suf foror a Slmplo Horb Rccipo Absolutoly Froo that Completely Cured mo of a tor rlblo attack of muscular and inflamma tory Rheumatism of long standing after everything olso I tried had failed mo. I liavo gfvon it to many sufferers who bo llevod tholr cases hopeless, yet they found relief from their suffering by taking thoso slmplo horbs. It also relievos. Sciatica promptly, as woll as Nouralgla, and Is a wonderful blood purlllor, You aro most -wolcomo to this Herb Recipe if you will sond for it at onco. I bollovo you will consider it a God-Send after you havo put it to tho tost. Thoro is nothing In jurious contained in it, and you can seo for yourself oxactly what you are taking. I -will gladly send this Recipe -absolutoly fr0Q to any sufferer who will sond namo and address. If convoniont. encloso two Serit stamp. W. A. SUTTON, soso Sfml!H Ave., Lo Angclon, California. erogencous elements, the whole day passed without friction or dissension in a splendid, unanimity of expres sion. Boginning with a breakfast at tho Hotel Continental, where the delegation heard stimulating speech 08' at tho start, the members went to the capltol to visit individual sen ators and representatives. Senator Wadsworth, of New York, received one part of the delegation, listened attentively, but had nothing to say. Senator Stono, of Missouri, chairman of tho committee on foreign rela tions, received tho entire delegation in tho Marble room, just off the sen ate chamber. He showed deep in terest in the speeches and seemed to be visibly moved by the sentiment of the addresses. Senators La Follette and Works, Representatives Warren Worth Bailey, Callaway, and others encouraged the delegation by ap plauding their efforts. The pacifists, on tho whole, found many a friendly ear under the dome of the capltol. Resolutions for tho President At the afternoon meeting, resolu tions were adopted for presentation to President Wilson. The whole delegation marched to the White house in tho biting cold, but the President was "out." In his stead, Secretary Tumulty courteously re ceived the several hundred delegates in the President's private office. The Rev. Norman M. Thomas, of New York, read the following resolution: We speak for vast numbers of the American people. We speak for hosts who voted at the last election, believing that they were voting for the policy of peace. We recognize that as devoted Americans, we are bound to uphold the true honor, dignity, and welfare of our country by rendering every service in our power, not only to the land of our birth, but to the cause of humanity the world over. , We desire, therefore, to do ev erything in' our power to maintain the leadership of -our country in the work! of -.bringing about world peace and abolishing forever the abomin able war system;- Acknowledging ouf" deep debt to President Wilson for hisN splendid efforts to secure a settlement of in ternational disputes, .by' peaceful, means, we aesjre to pieage to him Our loyal support in every such en deavor. In the critical situation in which tho country now finds itself, an overt act may at any moment inflame the public press and start hysterical demonstrations misrepresenting the sober judgment and purposes of the mass of the public. We therefore adjure our represent atives in congress to take no irre vocable steps towards war, but in case of such a crisis seek, tlirough an advisory referendum, a direct ex pression of the will of the American people. (1.) As American citizens, we con sider that -the honor or our country is best maintained by remaining the greatest of all neutral nations, and thereby keeping the onnorhmltv tn initiate, as the friend of all nations, a constructive international pro gramme that shall redound to the advantages of humanity and the glory of tho United States. (2.) Wo believe that the despera tion displayed by the warring powers is evidence that the war is nearing its close and that all belligerents may be expected under the circum stances to have less regard for the rights, of neutrals. To participate now in tho war, after having tor auillcient reasons endured injuries inflicted by both belligerents, would servo no useful purpose, and would involve us in the intolerable evils that now afflict the warring nations. (3.) Although it is hoped by many that our entrance into the war might hasten itsclose, we desire to call attention to the uncertainty of such an outcome, and to the danger that our participation might lead to new combinations and complications, and indefinitely prolong tho world struggle now in progress. Supported by Addresses After the reading of the above, Mrs. Henry Villard. of New York. 'was asked to speak. She spoke ex temporaneously, but tho White house sentographers took down all tne speeches for transmission to the President. Edward F. Cassldy, of the Central Labor Union, of New York, spoke briefly on the viewpoint of tho workingman toward war. and C. A. Sorenson, of Nebraska, expressed the attitude of the western granges and peace societies. Mr. Tumulty prQmised to advise" the President of all that had been said. In connection with the day's pro gramme, an interesting student con ference was held composed for the most part of alumni who -aim to provo in the immediate future that that the colleges of the United States will not permit ' themselves to be stampeded for military service. In cidentally, most of the student rep resentatives were from Columbia, whose executive head is wont to in terpret the viewpoint of that uni versity in concepts of belligerency. A memorial had 'been "drawn up by the student conference which is, to be addressed to college men and women throughout the , United States, which, advocated a referen dum to- the people before war, giving five main reasons why no steps to involve the country in war should be taken by the President or con gress. His contention was expressed, that war with Germany would bring serious evilson this country, to say nothing of the physical and mental sufferings of our people; such a war would strengthen militarism in America,, weaken democratic move ments, cripple many social reforms, burden future generations with en tangling debt, and tend to involve this country in obnoxious 'entangling alliance with European countries. A number of alternatives to war are suggested. The President should make an immediate attempt to or ganize the neutrals into ar league of neutrals, to defend by force, if necessary, neutral rights, as in case of the armed, neutralities of 1780 and 1800. In the meantime, it would be possible, until the procedure of such a league had been settled, to keep American passengers from the danger zone; to permit change of registration of our vessels, and to use every pressure that we possibly could exert toward the modification of the' illegal methods of the bellig erents. The pacifists were well satisfied with the results of v their day's effort. They intend to carry forward their work throughout the country by ar ranging public meetings in the prin cipal cities and awakening a public opinion everywhere against war. The platform of the Emergency Peace Federation says in part: The Emergency Peace Federation is supporting the peace policy of President Wilson, and offers to him and to the country any help that it can give to keep it outofwTT programme is: r l al conniots Ifettag" 1 the present war is over. (2.) To keep Americana out of the danger zone. or (3.) To consult the peonle h referendum before declaring war The losses of this country are it, cidental to the waging of war in" Europe. Neither of these groups of belligerent nations is wilfully at tacking the interests of this coun try, but both are anxiously seekine o.ur friendship. Neither honor nor glory could bo gained by warrine against a nation that is driven to desperation after thirty months of war. We urge that at the present crisis it is for Americans an unpat- Subscribers' Jfacriislng Dcpn This department Is ror the benefit of Commoner subscribers, and a special rato of six cents a word per insertion the lowest rato has been mado (or them. Address all cowtfnunlcations to The Commoner, Lincoln, Nebraska RESLR SHORTHAND lesson free. Rettig, Sacramento, Cal. 1303 L MONTANA 640-acro Homesteads New iTX towns, business opportunities. Send 25c .for maps and information. Address, U. S. Commissioner, Outlook, Mont. ("ENTLEMEN Mason sold 18 Spray JPumps and Auto Washers one Saturday. . Profits $2.00 each. Writo Rusler Co., Johnstown, Ohio. AM a College Junior, twenty years " old, and doslro employment dur ing, tho summer months. Havo had several years experience as a chauf feur, arid "can' give references. Bryan Gilkinson, Northfleld, Minnesota. 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