GEORGE HAVEN PUTNAM 
 President of New York Branch 
 
 \ iv. ve 
 
 ~~ 
 
 BOOTH TARKINGTON 
 President of Indianapolis Branch 
 
 THE AMERICAN RIGHTS LEAGUE 
 
 ; For Upholding the Duty of the Republic in 
 International Relations 
 
 New York Gffice 
 2 WEST 45TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY 
 
 The President Asks Your Advice 
 
 1. (Before the National Press Club, Washington, May 16, 1916.) ‘“‘The 
 people of the United States are not asking for anybody’s leave to do their own thinking. 
 They are thinking for themselves, every man for himself.’’ (Before the Associated 
 Advertising Clubs, Philadelphia, June 29, 1916.) ‘‘The principle of the life of 
 America is that she draws her vitality not from small bodies of men who may wish to 
 assume the responsibility of guiding and controlling her, but from the great body of 
 thinking and toiling and planning men from whom she draws her €nergy and vitality 
 as a nation—lI believe in the patriotism and energy and initiativeness of the average 
 
 mans.” a aoa st 
 
 2. (Before the New York Press Club, June 30, 1916.) “I have not read 
 history without observing that the greatest forces in the world, and the only permanent 
 forces, are the moral forces.—The only thing that will hold the world steady is this 
 same, silent, insistent, all-powerful opinion of mankind.” 
 
 3. (From same speech.) ‘The power of a nation comes from the bottom.” 
 Ass the virtue of a tree comes from the roots, so “among the silent, speechless masses of 
 the American people is slowly coming up the great sap of moral purpose and love of 
 justice and reverence for humanity which constitutes the only virtue and distinction of 
 the American people.”’ 
 
 4. (Before the Gridiron Club, Washington, February 26, 1916.) “I would 
 a great deal rather know what they are talking about around quiet firesides all over 
 the country than what they are talking about in the cloakrooms of Congress. I would 
 a great deal rather know what the men on the trains and by the wayside and in the 
 shops and on the farms are thinking about and yearning for than hear any of the 
 vociferous proclamations of policy which it is so easy to hear, and so easy to read by 
 picking up any scrap of printed paper.’’ (Before the National Press Club, Washington, 
 May 16, 1916.) ‘I do not know what they [the people] are thinking about. 
 I have the most imperfect means of finding out, and yet I have got to act as if I knew. 
 That is the burden of it, and I tell you, Gentlemen, it is a pretty serious burden, 
 particularly if you look upon the office as I do—that I am not put there to do what 
 I please.”"—“‘I am put there to interpret, to register, to suggest, and more than that, 
 
 and much greater than that, to be suggested to.” 
 5. (In his speech before the New York Press Club, June 30, 1916.) “‘I 
 
 want you to know how fully I realize whose servant I am; I do not own the Government 
 of the United States even for the time being. I have no right in the use of it to 
 
 express my own passions.” 
 
 Are you one of “‘the great body of thinking and toiling and planning men?” 
 Are you “doing your own thinking?’’ And are you willing to make ‘“‘suggestions’’ 
 
 to the President ? 
 
 WILLIAM ROSCOE THAYER 
 President of Boston Branch 
 
Are you thinking about the mighty European conflict and what the United States 
 should do both now, while the war goes on, and afterward? 
 
 _. Are you one of the great majority of the American people (said to be 90% of 
 the whole population): who favor the Entente Allies: and) who believe that they are 
 fighting for the doctrine (which is also our doctrine) of liberty, both individual and 
 national ? 
 
 Are you willing to tell the President what you believe? 
 
 If so, will you not sign, and get each of your friends to sign, one of the accom- 
 panying coupons? Only signatures of citizens of the United States are desired. When 
 returned to this office, 2 West 45TH STREET, NEw YorK City, they are sent to 
 the President in booklets of five hundred coupons each. 
 
 By thus helping to form and express the public opinion of this country, will you 
 not be doing a citizen’s duty better than by saying helplessly: “What can / do? 
 It isn’t my affair.’’ Here is something you can do. 
 
eg ee me a ee a a a ar ee ae 
 
 INS a a Al ed i I a BaP MH 1 NR IR ge el ce Ma 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 igs receiving this signed, the League transmits to the President, 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 wecucccccccccsecccvccscscasccscouenaccscacsccuanscsenccsesss «= SS Sas aeaecascosenscanns aecessccenasnacenaresnennnannannn- ~~ 
 
 On receiving this signed, the League transmits to the President. 
 
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 If you have aivendy wioned. pass, this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 On receiving this signed, the League transmits to the President, 
 
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 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 If you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City. 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printed 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 It you have already signed, pass this on to a friend. 
 
 - To the American Rights League, 
 2 West 45th St., New York City: 
 
 I endorse the Declaration of Principles as printe 
 on the back of this coupon. 
 
 On receiving this signed, the League transmits to the Presi 
 
A Declaration of Principles by American Citizens 
 
 Vy 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 ~ government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct witha 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European politica’ disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 8. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent. 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develon- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies, 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
 A Declaration of Principles by ‘American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct witha 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated ithe obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to.a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3, We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent. 
 
 4, We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. \ 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims i methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy ‘with the efforts’ of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
 i oe 
 
 A Declaration of ‘Principles by American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct witha 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle frem 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent. 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 pes 6. We believe that the Hntente Aijiies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. 
 
 6. We. believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
 A Declaration of Principles by American. Citizens 4 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct witha 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 8. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government, should not remain silent. 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by. armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 
 ' Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
 A Declaration of Principles by American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct witha 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent, 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5.\ We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peacefill existence, 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. : 
 
 (i We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 FWntente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
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 A Declaration, of Princip) 
 
 1. We believe that there is a mo 
 government to observe its treaty-oblig 
 decent respect to the opinions of mar 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic pr : ek Se 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent. 
 
 4, We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged: in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. ! 
 
 Ss = 
 
 A Declaration of Principles by American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct with a 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot © 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence, ° : : 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 2 i 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our nationa 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place th 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliancé, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
 A Declaration of Principles by American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct with a 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. ‘ 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 8. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent. _ 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an 
 peaceful existence, 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies, ‘ 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 
 in a struggle to 
 and are striving 
 independent and 
 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the . 
 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. _ 
 
 * 
 A Declaration of Principles by American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct with a 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. ; ; 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers. have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent. : 
 
 4. We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare, 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism, 
 
 en 2 
 
 ne 
 
 2S ewe ee 
 
 A Declaration of Principles by American Citizens 
 
 1. We believe that there is a morality of nations which requires every 
 government to observe its treaty-obligations and to order its conduct witha 
 decent respect to the opinions of mankind. 
 
 2. We believe that the Teutonic powers have repudiated the obligations 
 of civilized nations and have raised issues which lift the present struggle from 
 the sphere of European political disputes to a crisis involving all humanity. 
 
 3. We believe that in the face of such a world-crisis our people cannot 
 remain neutral and our government should not remain silent, 
 
 4, We condemn the aims of the Teutonic powers, and we denounce as 
 barbarous their methods of warfare. 
 
 5. We believe that the Entente Allies are engaged in a struggle to 
 prevent the domination of the world by armed force and are striving 
 to guarantee to the smallest nation its rights to an independent and 
 peaceful existence. 
 
 6. We believe that the progress of civilization and the free develop- 
 ment of the principles of democratic government depend upon the success 
 of the Entente Allies. 
 
 7. We believe that our duty to humanity and respect for our national 
 honor demand that our government take appropriate action to place the 
 nation on record as unalterably opposed to the aims and methods of the 
 Teutonic Alliance, and-as deeply in sympathy with the efforts of the 
 Entente Allies to remove the menace of Prussian militarism. 
 
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