The right of the citizen to oppose war and the right of Congress to shape the war policy.

• Author: La Follette, Robert M.
• Position: 1917 - Brief article

June 1917

Every nation has its war party. It is mot 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, as in Berlin. The American Jingo is twin to the German Junker.

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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.

Today Secret Service men, United States District Attorneys, United States Marshals...