My dear Mr. Zielinski: January 26, 1917. The manuscript you have been kind enough to have me look over is well worthy of perusal. It shows conclusively that nations, like men, do not live by bread alone; and that they have a future as long as they have a soul. That Ireland and Poland have souls is abundantly proved by the fact that they are alive; and since they are alive and have souls, they have also a future—a future that we can jointly hope will be filled with liberty and progress and peace. Just today the rights of the conquered are few, and they are made to suffer unspeakably; yet, out of the war is sure to come a deeper and broader acceptance of the right of the individual nation to live and thrive, and expand within the sphere of their own genius; and in the assertion of their own rights. When this principle is fully established, Ireland and Poland shall again take their place; and that an honored one among the nations of the earth. Yours very sincerely, John J. Glennon, Archbishop of St. Louis. INTRODUCTION BY JOHN W. WEEKS, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS. The task of making Poland and Polish aspirations known to the American people can very properly be regarded as a patriotic undertaking at this time. The aspirations of Poland for freedom are identical with the aspirations which stirred the American Colonists, and when we remember that from far-distant Poland two valiant warriors came from under the White Eagle to give their aid to the infant Republic, an obligation rests upon the Americans to respond to the call of Poland in this present emergency. The Pole in America has established a position for himself worthy of attention and respect. Although the great bulk of the 4,000,000 immigration is very recent, the nation has already begun to contribute doctors, lawyers, professional men of distinction, and stalwart, vigorous fighters. In my own State of Massachusetts, they have won a high reputation because of their industry, because of their honesty, and also because of the unswerving and whole-hearted loyalty with which they have supported American war aims. |