Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-02-23
WAsHfNGTON's BIRTHDAY CELE-
~. BRATION THE=oCcAsION.
F. R. couDERT THE SPEAKER.
ANNUAL EVENT OF THE CHICAGO
UNION LEAGUE CLUB.
Mr. Coudert Urges Arbitration for the
Settlement of Observation-Disclosures
Republicans Celebrate at
Detroit-Other CeIe-
bratiOns.

ingtcn, under the auspices of the Union
League Club, was held in the Auditorium
this afternoon. The great hall was filled
to its utmost capacity, the stage being oc-
cupieo by n large chorus of children from
the high schools of the city, which, in
company with the great organ in the hall,
furnished music for the occasion. The ora
tion of the day was delivered by Hon.
Frederick r. Goudert. of New York, who
spoke on War and Arbitration" His ad-
dress was received with great favor by the
audience. Mr.. Coudert spoke in part as
follows:
I'VE are gathered here to-day in honor
of the founder Of cur nation, or, as we
prefer, in filial reverence to call him, the
father of our country. Our jealous love
for him will allow other statue a place
the same pedestal; none other shall
stand as a rival in his claim to our devo-
ton. For his light shore in the dark days
as the only star that meant hope;. his
steadfastness kept the young nation from
despair: his genius was supreme; his faith
with his courage inspired and strength
ened those who were fighting the great
fight. But for him and his inspiration,
who will venture to say that the freemen
OF to-day would not have been the de-
feated rebels of the Fast. Who will study
the fearful odds and dispute his claim to
our gratitude SO long as we remain enc
people? Overwhelming odds tested his gen.
iuS: treason wrung his heart: jealouSies
and rivalries baffied his plans, but the
serenity of his soul was undiSturbed.
We have. indeed, many great names in
our national gallery beside that of WASH
ington. Many men. during the short his
tory of a century. have carved their names
in deep letters on the worlds story. From
the earliest day we have had statesmen
who built wisely and well for the coun-
IL T1Hr4 20
the men who are now living and striving
to carry on the work of the fathers, we
have had leaders eminent in peace. But
vet the universal voice still clamorS with
the first instinct of discerning gratitude,
He was first in peace
What shall we do this day to prove the
sincerity. of our professions? How best
can VIC honor him?
'.If these wise lips could move. do We not
know from the teachings of his life that
he would warn our people against anger
horrors of war and the beauties of peace?
Would we not be taught in solemn accents
out shame. and may with honor forbear to
strike? He was first in war and knew Ats
horrors; he was first in peace and knew its
beauty. Can we doubt that his blessing
diction on the peacemakers; can We doubt
that the lovers of war would have been
thrust aside as enemies of the people? He
could tell US that in war the burden of
the day and heat are the peoples lot. and
hard to bear; that the joyousness of peace
thf nRepRanee eppy Where would @ M he stand
think you II the key of the temple of Janus
We're in his, hand and he could. by a turn
of that key shut Off wars frowning face
and silence wars harsh voice? ="
I'VE may. then, on this day, so especially
his own, raise our voice in favor of peace,
the handmade of art. the friend of science.
the mother of industry and the promoter of
all good. We may recall to our own minds
the claims that she has to our duty. while
contrast. is shorn of its charm and stands
out as the old-time and present enemy of
the human race.
"Unconsciously the nations of the world
are looking to us and following with hesi-
tating step in the paths that we have trod
den. Since we have, at the expense of cost
ly amputation, rid ourselves Of the blight
of slavery, we stand morally in the very
vanguard of civilized mankind. While we
have been great enough to fear no army
or navy of the world, we have shown our
greatness still more conspicuously by our
admiration of and edevotion to peace.
From the earliest days of our history We
human race; from the earliest days we
have advocated arbitration the only
reasonable method of adjusting disputes.
"All the civilization of the age is against
war, and its intelligence and learning. Its
science and it's art, its greater tenderness
for human life, its love of the beautiful. its
commercial interests. all these are Coop
Grating in harmonious solicitude to drive
war from the face of the earth. The world
knows too much to put its faith in war.
What has war ever done to settle great
questions? / speak not of defensive wars,
of resistance to unjust aggression, for these
may no more be condemned than the effort
that the peaceful traveller makes to resist
the bandit who would take his purse
To-day the United States and Great
Britain are striving to crown the giories
of this dying century with something bet
ter and greater than the world has seen.
1t is proposed to abolish homicide as a test
of International right by submitting causes
OF dispute to the calm Judgment of wise
men; a solution simple and so econom-
icai that 1t requires great ingenuity to as
sail 1t with plausible reasons. All concede
that in theory the plan is admirable, and
that in practice on a limited scale it has
proved of priceless value; that Ii is infinite
ly more likely to produce rational results
than the other only alternative, viz. re-
sort to war.
They say, who object to the treaty.
What II our national honor should become
involyed?
"a nations honor. I would venture to
say. Is never compromised by temperance
or injured by forbearance- A nations hon
or Is not served by rash counsels. nor by
violent impulses .recklessly induiged in. 1t
is indeed a frail and delicate possession il
II cannot live in an atmosphere of peace
it is a dangerous one II it is tarnished by
friendly discussion and a disposition to
hearken to the voice of Justice"
IA nations honor consists in fidelity TO
her engagements. In carrying out her con-
tracts in spirit as in the letter. in paying
her just debts. in respecting the rights of
others, in promoting the welfare of her
people. in the encouragement of truth. in
teaching obedience to the law. in cultivat-
ing honorable peace with the world.
How can our national honor be SO griev-
ously invaded that there can be no room
for remonstrance. no time for discussion.
no opportunity allowed the aggressor for
amendment?
"Buster, with nations and individuals. is
dying out. 1t Is heard at times. but its
voice squeaks and shows senility. 1t can
not as of old. arouse d nation into I'M
thinking wrath. nor drive Ii from its prop
erty The wisdom and the experience OF
the world are against it.
1.-THE prejudices, caprices. errors and pas
sfons of men may defer the hour of tri-
umph but come 1t must. The constant
tendency of man is towards peace as soon
as he emerges from the primitive condi-
ton wherein he most closely resembles the
inferior tenants of the earth. Individually
he longs for rest and the enjoyment of life
He undergoes hardship that he may have
security and care.
THE good fight of peace and for peace
is fairly won. Honor to those who have
achieved it and shown themselves the
friends of thc human race. The great con-
summatio. ~ be deferred. but come 4.
will"
In the evering n banquet was held at the
Union League Club. on Jackson street at
which the speakers were Mr.. Coudert, Rev
Charles Z. Jefferson. A. p. Cummins James
X. Garfield and Colonel Henry l.. Turner