Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-04-16
THE FEDERATION OF THE WORLD

Secretary Root in his speech before
ne peace congress says some very fine
things. things worthy Of the best
thought Of the nation. There Is also
something cf the practical about the
utterances that will appeal to the judg-
ment as well as to the sentiment. A
fair summary Of the thought OF the
address is contained in the conclui-
ing paragraphs, as follows:
let me add few words of warn
ing concerning your anticIpations as
to what the second peace conference is
to do. Do not expect too much from
1T.
ut is an essential characteristic of
such conference that it shall deal,
not with matters upon which the ma
tons differ. but with matters upon
which the nations agree information
al differences may be smoothed away;
Misunderstanding may be explained;
consideration and discussion along lines
that do not run counter to any immedi-
ate and specific interest may work out
methods of applying general princi-
Pies In such way as to prevent fur
Their differences; progress may be
made toward agreement upon mat
ters that are not yet ripe for complete
adjustment; but the moment an at
tempt Is made 20 give such confer
niece any coercive effect, the moment
any number of nations endeavor to use
the conference for the purpose of COM
Polling any other nation to do what
1t deems inconsistent with its inter-
ests. that moment the conference
falls.
such conference Is an agency of
peace; not the peace OF conquest, but
the peace OF agreement; not enforced
agreement, but willing and cheerful
agreement. So far as the nations can
go towards such an agreement, the
conference can go and no farther.
Many lovers of mankind, certain
that the principles which the see so
clearly ought to be accepted of all
men, are unmindful of the many dis-
ferences which divide the nations in
the competition for trade and wealth.
for honor and prestige; unmindful that
the selfishnes and greed and willing
ness to do injustice which have mark
ed all human history still exist in the
world; unmindful that because OF
these the instinct of self-protectio
engenders distrAist and suspicion
among the nations; and they viii be
sadly disappointed because The Hague
conference of 1907 does not realize
their dreams and usher In the parla-
ment of mantle federation of the
world. But let them take heart. A
. forward step will be taken; an adj
vance will be made toward tho reign
OF peace and Justice and righteousness
among men, and that advance will go
just so far as the character of the mass
OF civilized men permits. There lies
the true measure OF possibility and the
true origin of reforming force. Arbi-
trations and mediations, treaties and
conventions peace resolutions. de-
clarations of principles. speeches ard
wrttines. are as naueht unless they
truly represent and find response IN
the hearts and minds of the multi
tude OF the men who make up the
nations of the earth. whose desires
+
peace and war. The end toward which
his assemblage strives-the peace OF
the world-will be attained just as
rapidly as the millions of the earth's
peoples learn to love peace and abhor
war: to love justice and hate wrong
doing: to be considerable in Judgment
and kindly in feeling toward aliens as
toward their own friends and neigh
bors; and to desire that their own
countries shall regard the rights Of
others rather than be grasping ana
overreaching. The path to universal
peace is not through reason and intel
7ectual appreciation. but through the
development OF peace-loving and p &C
Keeping character among men; and
that this development, slow though It
NAV be as measured by our short
fives, Is proceeding with steady AMI
urfremftting advance from generate n
to generation no student of history
can QUESTION. The greatest benef't
Of the peace conference of 1907 win be
as was that OF the peace conference
OF 1899, in the fact of the conference
Itself; In its powerful influence mold /,
ing the characters OF men; in the
spectacle of al the great powers OF the
earth meeting in the name of peace, |
ana exalting as worthy of desire. ma
tlonal self-controI and considerable |
Judgment and willingness to do Jus /
tice."