New-York tribune., 1911-09-25
PRAISES TAFT'S POLICY
Brooklyn Rector Says He Is First
to Offer Splendid Peace Ideal.
OPPOSES ROOSEVELT VIEW
Peace Between Men and Nations
One of the Ideals Taught
by Christ, He Says.

In advocacy of the peace propaganda OF
President Taft, the Rev. John Howard
Melish rector OF Holy Trinity Church.
Brooklyn, said yesterday in a sermon that
peace between men and nations was one Of
the ideals taught by Christ. and that for
the first time In history America had a
statesman who had told all the nations
that this country wished to abide by rea-
son, and not to appeal to force In any
international dispute which the future
might hold IN store for her. Continuing.
he said in part:
We have had men before President Taft
certain limits-stood FOR arbitration of all
disputes except those which involved. ma
tional honor. For ninety years in our re-
latlons with our keenest rival Great
Britain, we have as a people submitted all
cases, even those INVOLVING territory and
honor, to a tribunal. We have also Of
fered our good offices when other nations
have been on the verge Of war OF in con-
fiict and many Of our statesmen are en-
titled 10 great respect as peacemakers.
But President Taft has been the first Of
our statesmen to take the splendid view
that there must be no exceptions, that rea-
son and affection must sit in judgment al
ways when nation disagrees with nation.
This is the splen lid ideal which finds eX-
preston In the peace treaties which are
now DefOre the country.
Let MS see IL clearly. Men may disagree
as TO this or that detail OF any document
ever penned. There is always a minority at
all times and in all issues OF a nation S
life. But after all has been said-and the
more that is said in a momentous issue the
better-the question Of supreme Importance
remains and is this: In all differences be
tween nation and nation shall we submit
ourselves to reason or shall We resort TO
the sword?
The rector then made reference 10 an ar
tcle by former President Roosevelt, en-
titled The Peace Of Righteousness" The
speaker said that the writer Of the article
seemed 10 think that there was something
more or less wicked about the proposed
treaties with Great Britain, France and
Germany, adding:
A careful reading and rereading Of his
article leaves on my mind the impression
that what he calls wicked is a promise to
do something which we cannot do. We
promise, he says, TO submit to deliberation
all disputes, and We know that we will do
no such thing; that such matters as the
Monroe Doctrine. the Platt amendment
with Cuba, the payment Of state bonds to
European bondhOders will never be arbi-
trated by the American people.
There Is something very specious and be-
side the point TO my mind in all this talk.
The treaty Is looking 10 the future; II is
not concerned with the disputes Of yester-
day. 1T is saying 10 the nations who Will
meet us half way that I'm all our future
misunderstanding and disagreements We
shall cease this war talk, stop these ru-
mors Of war and submit our case TO rea-
son. Is there anything wicked I'm such a
promise? Is 1t not rather wicked not TO so
agree at all times with every nation?
IL our case is such that We cannot or
VIII not submit II TO reason, Is 1t not a
case ia which II is wicked for us to be
"a = he
part to recede from It?
To be sure, we of to-day cannot bind
the next generation to submit TO reason
and not to fly 10 war. We Of to-day In
that respect do agree to do something
which we cannot do. But that is mere
specious objection. There l. continuity in
a nations life: one generation follows an
other, especially in the path OF reason.
When therefore we adopt policy Of rea-
son we can rest assured that those who
come after us will abide by II. II Is right
eous for US so TO act; II Is wicked in us II
we refuse to act.
After asserting that there might be room
for disagreement as to the details OF the
treaties. he said:
Reason finds expression only in men, and
the thing of importance is a method Of
securing men who shall bring 10 the con-
slderation Of the issue not passion, bias.
prejudice. personal political ambition but
reason. Where are we To find such men?
In the United States Senate as "A body?
our experience In the Spanish war, when
Senator Foraker carried that body off ts
feet with his fiery and lingo eloquence and
forced President MCKinley's hand on the
very eve of a possible peaceful arrange
ment with Spain, showed conclusively that
the Senate is not the body which incarnates
reason.
1t is not impossible to secure d group
OF men, both OF our nation and outside
our nation, who viii bring To the consid-
q alton OF any great international dispute
the most enlightened and fair minded rea-
son within the power of man.
As one American citizen, | would prefer
to submit my COuntry's case TO such a
body, rather than TO any President. who
inevitably Is moved, as was tine peaceful
Mckinley, ny newspaper clamor. or 10 the
Senate which is removed too far from
the common people 10 know the feeling
of international brotherhood among multi
tudes e day.
I'VE. the American people belieye,"
writes this foremost opponent of President
Taft, "and ought 10 believe, in righteous
ness first and in peace as the handmaid
of righteousness What do YOU mean b.
peace? Rest? Then YOU are right. But Il
peace is unity. II becomes. not a handmaid,
hut a mistress, 10 be sued and won.
Righteousness Is the right relation between
man and man, nation and nation. Unity
Is the right relation between man and man,
nation and nation. Wrong relations make
for disLnion; unrighteousness does also.
The two words are or should lie synony-
nous Poth righteousness and unity are
moral social ideals. which are TO be Fought
and gradually worked out In all human al
fairs.
IL only confuses the mind To keep apart
things which God hath joined together
Mar Is 10 seek first the Kingdom % Col
and his righteousness: by working foI
peace he lecomes son OF God There i'
no conflict here. no first and second. but. IN
the words OF the psalm, righteousness and
peace have Kissed each other