Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-04

so do. But II is equally true that the
average private individual in any real
| ~ decent community does many ac
lions with reference TO other men In
which he is guided not by self inter
est, but by public spirit, by regard for
the rights of others, by a disinterested
| purpose to do good to others and to
raise the tone of the community as 81
whole. Similarly really great nation
| must often act, and as a matter of fact
! often does act, toward other nations in
! q spirit not in the least of mere self in
| terest, but paying heed chiefly to eth
| ical reasons, and as the centuries go
by this disinterestedness in internal
tional action, this tendency of the in
dividualS comprising q nation to re-
quire that nation to act with justice
toward it's neighbors, steadily grows
and strengthens. 1t Is neither wise
nor right for a nation to disregard it's
be wicked to think that other nations
will disregard theirs. But it is wicked
for a nation only to regard it's own in
terest and foolish to believe that such
is the sole motive that actuates any
other nation. 1t should be our steady
aim to raise the ethical standard of ma
tional action just as we strive to raise
the ethical standard of individual ac-
ton.
Justice to immigrants.
Not only must we treat all nations
fairly. but we must treat with justice
and good will all immigrants who come
ha la W hrEy
Catholic or Protestant, Jew or gentle,
whether they come from England or
Germany, Russia, Japan or Italy, mat
tiers nothing. All we have u right to
question is the mans conduct. If he
is honest and upright in his dealings
with his neighbor and with the state,
then he is entitled to respect and good
treatment. Especially do we need TO
remember our duty to the stranger
within our gates. 1t is the sure mark
of n low civilization, low morality, to
abuse or discriminate against o. in
any way humiliate such stranger who
has come here lawfully and who is
conducting himself properly. To re-
member this is incumbent ON every
American citizen, and it is of course
peculiarly incumbent on every govern
ment official. whether of the nation or |
of the several states.
| am prompted to say this by the at |
titude of hostility here and there as
Sumed toward the Japanese in this |
country. This hostility is sporadic and |
is limited to very few places. Never |
theless it is most discreditable to US as |
a people, and 1t may be fraught with |
the graveSt consequences to the nation
The friendship between the United !
States and Japan has been continuous
since the time, over half a century ago.
when Commodore Perry by his e-pedi-
ton to Japan first opened the islands
to western civilization. Since thGn the
growth Of Japan has been literally
astounding. There is not only nothing
to parallel it but nothing to approach
ii in the history of civilized mankind.
Japan has a glorious and ancient past
Her civilization is older than that Of
the nations of northern Europe, the ma
tons from whom the people of the
United States have chiefly sprung. But
fifty years ago Japan's development
was still that of the middle ages Dur
ing that fifty years the progress Of the
In every walk in life has been
4 marvel TO mankind, and she now
stands az one of the greatest of civil
lied nations. great in the arts OF war
and in tho arts of peace. great in mill
'ary. In industrial, in artistic develop
nent and achievement.
Praise For Japan.
japanese soldiers and sailors have
shown themselves equal in combat TO
my of whom history makes note. She
las proc:nced great generals and
mighty nd.nirals. Her fighting men. =,
float AMI ashore, show all the heroic
courage. the unquestioning. unfalter- ,
ng Loyalty, the splendid indifference
o hardship and death, which marked
he Loyal Ronins. and they show also
hat they possess the highest ideal of :
'atriotism. Japanese artists of every
ind see their products eagerly sought q
or in all lands. The Industrial and
commercial development of Japan has
een phenomenal, greater than thas Of
ny other country during the same pe-
Tod. At the same time the advance in
cience and philosophy is no less mark
d. The admirable management of the
apanese Red Cross during the late
var, the efficiency and humanity OF
he Japanese officials. nurses and doc '
1rs, won the respectful admiration of
II acquainted with the facts. Through
ne Red Cross the Japanese people sent
yer 100000 TO the sufferers of San y
francisco. and the gift was accepted
18th gratitude by our people The
ourtesy of the Japanese, nationally :,
nd individually. has become proven :.
ial To- no other country has there
cen such an increasing number of :
lsitors from this land as to Japan. In h
sturn Japanese have come here in =,
reat numbers. They are welcome, So -
ally and intellectually, in all our col :,
ges and institutions of higher learn q
e, in all our professional and social :,
0dies. The Japanese have won in a c,
ngle generation the right to stand II