The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-06
MESSAGE OE PRESIDENT ROOStVrN TO THE FlFTY-hlNTH CONGRESS-
tcs.ss...s fr.. Pare rAr-..,

nation Shrinking from 1t forfeits all title to self-respect. We nave scahs dreads oppression less than physical suffering, who would prefer a shame ful peace to the pain and toll some. times iamentsSis rtsStson mecesssry nsscs AS yet tnsra is only a partial and imperfect analogy between internationai law and internal or municipal law. because cusinx the former while there i. in the case of the letter. The private cni- zen 10 protected in his rights by the the rssorf upon force exercised through the forms of law. man dse es not have te defend his rights with his own a hand. because he .ir.s osa eair nosss ur"n upon n the militia, CT in certain extreme cases s,s Upon the Army, to defend him. But f6ere is no such sanction of iorce TOT r could be no greater calamity. than for isde pendent. and peace-loving peoples. sS y Sssr Sarssais ~as ys! un dsspotism to main armed So long as the world is as unorEanized as now, the armies and naviss Of those peoples o.r wno nos on only 5hS the best, but the only possible. secur. fly for just peace. For instance, IT the United States alone, or in company We mirht sometimes avoid bloodshed. but we would cease to be of weight Tn sscurigs the psasss sa of 5ss and bigh-mfnded men must at times be wiling to fight As the world IS now. only that nation is equipped for for peace that knows how to fight and that will not shrink. from fighting fl ever the conditions become such tnas that war is demanded in the name or 'hs so sn,ch it is Economically neces- eary to say in order that the United States may not be misunderstood. ana that a genuine eff2rt to bring neaTea ,sa nations may not be hampered by folly which, in striving to achieve the Impossible. would render It nopeiess practical. But while recognizing most clearly all above set forth. 1t remains our clear duty to strive in every prac- ticabie way to oring ing, neafe eaf be i the % arr bifer among nations. At present the practical thing to do is to try to min. imize the number of cases m Wnich !. must be the arbiter. and to oner, at least to all civilized powers; some sub stitute for war which will be avail able in at least considerable number through another Hague conference In this direction. and l most earnestly urge that this Nation. do all m its power to try to further the moyeo % decisions of The Hague conference effective. I earnestly hope that the conference may be able to devise some way to make arbitration between na- tions the customary way. of settling international disputes in all save a few classes of cases. which should them. sslyss ,,;sa ns s shabp the present mental and social deveiopment6of. the world will remit, If possible, there should be a. general arpitration treaty resented at the conference; Neutra' rights and property should be protece- cd at sea as they are protected on land; aEreement Hs % to this purpose and sImi; lar agreement defining contraband o' war.
 been a distinct diminution in the mum Der of wars between the most civil ized nations. International relations have become closer: and & the develop, op, only a symptom of this growing close by which the growth can De furthered. Cur aim should be from time to time 10 take such steps as may be possible toward creating something like an or ganization of the civilized nations. be- N Organized the need for navies and armies will diminish. It Is not pos ble to secure anything like an imme- diate disarmament, because a,is b., is w0e1a enn pies are on the whole a menace to tho rest of mankind. and to provide against the disarmament of the rest would really chiefly benefit these ob- noxious peoples; but 1t may be possible 10 exercise ssome check upon the ten ssas ssasv fop G smHh military eRpenSiture. Of course such an effort could succeed only if 1t did. not attempt to do too much; and If it were undertaken m a sible from a merely hysterical pseudo philanthropy. It is worth while point ing out that since the end Of the in- surrection in the Philippines this Na- tion has shown its practical faith in the policy of disarmament by reducing its little army one-third But disarm- ance: there is more need to get rid of the causes of war than of the imple-
 I have dweit much on the dangers mere foolish sentimentslity because my wish for peace Is so genuine and earnest; because l have .s real and and confercnce may mark. long stride forward in the direction of securing the peace of justice throuehout the attention of enlightened ship than the establishment of surer method than now exists of securing }' the protection of the little nations and for the prevention of war between the big nations. To this aim we should not only fo fyeT5 fo the forces of right. The Golden Rule should be, and as the world grows 1T morality it will be, the guiding rul' individuais: though the Golden Rule
 must not be construed, in fantastic manner. as forbidding the exercisint of police power This mighty . ana fre' re, other states. great or small. on basil of high honor. respecting their rtEhti as jealously as 1t safeguards It's own.
 One of the most effective instru
 ments for peace Is the Monroe Doctrtn' as 1t has been and is being gradually by shs NatSn oSar Rd Doc, could have been as efficient in promot
 ing peace in the Western Hemisphere and In giving to each nation thereon s---ss. ar we nad refused to apply th' Doctrine to chenging conditions would now be completely outYorn would not meet any of the needs of th, this time have sunk into comI lete ob
 iivion. Is is useful at home, and Il meeting with recognition abroad pc
 tion of 1t to meet the growing. ant changing needs of the. Hemisphere When we announce policy. such a
 init ourselves to the consequences O the policy, and those consequence
 from time to time alter. It Is out Q
 the eusstion to cia,m of ts she exse s
 cise. Not only we. but all Americai
 Republics who are benefited by tn
 existence of the Doctrine, must recog
 nIze the obliRati"ns each nation Is un
 der as regards foreign peoples no les >than it's duty to Insist upon Its owl
 EiEH&. a-L.. ..a sn1a-asts ar