Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-09-07


of these relations. And, remember,
gentlemen that we shall be potent fac
tor for peace largely in proportion to the
way in which we make it evident that
our attitude is due, not to weakness. not
to inability 10 defend ourselves. but to
a genuine repugnance to wrongdoing. a
genuine desire for self-respectng friend
shin with our neighbors The voice Of
the weaklng or the craven counts for
nothing when he clamors for peace: but
the voice Of the just man armed is po-
tent. We need to keep in a condition Of
preparedness. 81 'ecially regards our
navy. not because we want war but
because we desire to stand with those
whose plea for peace is listened 10 with
respectful attention"
The Hague Tribunal.
From Message of Dee. >, 1902.
AS civilization grows, Warfare be
comes less and less the normal condition
Of foreign relations. The last century
has seen a marked diminution of wars
between civilized powers: wars with un-
civilized powers are largely mere mat
tiers Of international police duty, essen
tial for the welfare of the world. Where
ever possible arbitration or some simi-
lar method should be employed in lieu
Of war to settle difficulties between civ
ilized nations. although as yet the world
has not progressed sufficiently to rem
der it possible. or necessarily desirable
to invoke arbitration in every case. The
formation of the international tribunal
which sits at The Hague is an event Of
good omen from which great consequence
for the welfare of all mankind may
flow II Is far better, whore possible.
10 invoke such a permanent tribunal
| than n create spe,'H ar6itrators for a
given purpoS,.
1T is Il matter Of sincere congratula-
ton to our country that the United
States and Mexico should have been the
first to use the good offices of The
Hague Court This WAS done last sum
mer with most satisfactory results in
the case of 4 claim AT issue between Us
and our sister Republic. 1t is earnestly
| to be hoped that this first ease will serve
| as a precedent for others, iii which not
| only the United States hut foreign nat
tons may take advantage Of the machIn-
| cry already in existence at The Hague.
| A Good Navy Not Provocative of War.
| From Message of Dec. >, 1901
a good navy is not prnvOcatinu Of
| war 1t is "a sure guaranty OF peace.
The refusal to maintain such
a (etficientl navy would invite trouble,
| aud if trouble came. would insure disaS-
/ ter Fatuous Seif-comp or van
! itv. or short sghtedness in refusing "a
! Prpplre for danger is both foolish and
/ wicked in such a nation As ours. ana
/ pas experience has shown that such
/ fat iity in refusing To recognize 0r pre-
pare for any crisis in advance Is uSu.
| ally succeeded by a ufi'd panic OF hys-
| tercal fear once tae crisis has actually
| arrived"
Triumph for International Arbitration
From Message - Dec. = 1903
This triumph of the principle of in
ternational arbitration Preference Of the
! Venezuelan claims to The Hague Irib-
unaD is a subject Of warm cougratula-
ton and offers a happy augury for the
| peace of the world.
There seems good ground for the
! belief that there has been real growth
| among the civilized nations Of a seuti-
| menr which will permit a gradual sub
| StitutOn Of other methods than tho meth
| obs Of war in the settlement Of disputes,
| 1t IS not pretended that as yet we are
nea. n position in which il will be pos
| sit lie wholly to prevent war, or that a
! st regard for natural interest or honor
/ viii in all eases permit Of the settle
| Went of international disputes by arbi-
Jration, but by a mixture of prudence
/ and irmness with wisdom We think it is
! possible To do away with mu,ai Of the
| provocation and excuse for war and
| at least in many cases to substitute
| some other and more rational method for
the settlement Of disputes. The Hague
Court offers 30 good an example Of
what can be done in the direction OF
such settlements that it should Ice en-
Outraged in every way