Dear Madam,
You are reported (I hope [incorrectly]) to have said in a recent speech that in your opinion "the feelings of the German-American citizens of this country should have been consulted before war was declared."
If this be true, and the meaning was that the feelings of these should have been considered by the Government of this country, as I infer, then I feel that I must take the liberty of expressing my deep regret that you should entertain and express any such sentiment, which I think comes very close to being disloyal to this country and [its] most cherished ideals.
By what fallacious mental processes one of your attainments could arrive at such a position is a mystery. May I ask you, are the feelings of the German-American citizens as a class more worthy of consideration than the feelings of the French-American, British-American, Italian-American citizens or other hyphenated citizens or the [unhyphenated] citizens from "away back" who still love the principles on which this Government is founded and who hate tyranny, and the rule of brute and worse that brutal force? Are the German-Americans as a class such extremely loyal citizens? Have they as a class shown any great [abhorrence] of the object, and the principles and practices of Germany in this war? Is it not true that very many of them still glory in the military power of Germany and that many of them would not be sorry to see the triumph of her brute force?
By what perversion of emotionalism can you place consideration for their feelings before consideration for the feelings of the ravished populations of Belgium, France, Poland and America? or for the honor and safety of our own country?
Sincerely hoping that this remonstrance may have some slight effect in causing you to think further and better along this line, I have the honor to be,
Very sincerely yours,
<Let me also suggest that you read the article in the June 6 issue of "The Outlook" with the title of "Unseen Fears in the World War">
Comments