The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-27

| chaplain, the Rev. Henry D. Couden, in
! his opening prayer said:
! Rule Thou in the hearts of our rul-
ers and sway the minds of these Thy
! servants, that nation we may
move forward to all that is pure and
noble until all the people of all the
world shall recognize the purity of our
motives"
Although a deafening volIey of ap-
plause rang out as the president ap-
peared, he plunged into the reading of
his message without delay and with
a bow of acknowledgment of the greet
ing. The president finished reading at
1:21 o'clock. Another great roar of ap-
plause broke out. All those in the gal
leries stood while the president left the
chamber and started back to the White
House. The joint session at once dis
solved, the house adjourned and the SEN
ate filed back to its side of the capitol.
The Message.
Washington, Aug. 27.-President
Wilson in person addressed congress
today on the Mexican situation as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the congress: 1t is
clearly my duty to lay before you very
fully and without reservation the facts
concerning our present relations with
the republic of Mexico. The deplOr-
able posture of affairs in Mexico, 1
need not describe, but 1 deem it my
duty to speak very frankly of what this
government has done and should seek
TO do in fulfllment of its obligation
to Mexico herself, as a friend and
neighbor, and to American citizens
whose lives and vital interests are
daily affected by the distressing condi-
tions which now obtain beyond our
southern border.
Those conditions touch us very near
ly. Not merely because they lie at our our
very doors. That, of course, makes
US more viVidly and more constantly
conscious of them. and every instinct
of neighborly interest and sympathy
is aroused and quickened by them; but
that is only one element in the de-
termination of our duty. We are glad
to call ourselves the friends of Mexico
and we shall, l hope, have many an
occasion in the happier times as well
as in. these days of trouble and con-
fusion to show that our friendship is
genuine and disinterested, capable of
sacrifice and every generous manifes-
tation.
THE peace, prosperity and content
ment of Mexico mean more, much
more, to US than merely an enlarged
field for our commerce and enterprise
They mean an enlargement of the field
of self government and the realiZa atlon
of the hopes and rights of a nation
with whose best eXertiOnS so long sup
pressed and disappointed, we deeply
sympathize. We shall yet prove to
the Mexican people that We know how
to serve them without first thinking
how we shall serve ourselves.
World Wants Peace.
But we are not the only friends of
Mexico. The whole world desires her
peace and progress; and the whole
world is interested as never before.
Mexico lies a last where all the world
looks on. Central America is about
to be touched by the great routes Of
the worlds trade and intercourse run
Isthmus The future has much in
, store for Mexico, as for all the states
of Central America; but the best gifts
can come to her only if she be ready
and free to receive them and to en-
joy them hOnorably. America in par
ticular-America north al south and
upon both continents-waits on the
development of MeXico-and that de-
velopment can be sound and lasting
only if it be the product of a genuine
freedom, a just and orderly govern
rlent, founded upon law. Only so can
it be peaceful or fruitful of the benefits
of peace. Mexico has great and en-
viable future before her if only she
choose and attain the paths of honest
constitutional government
THE present circumstances of the
republic, deeply regret to say, do
not seem to promise even the foun-
dations of such a peace. We have
waited many months, months full of
peril and anxiety, for the conditions
there to improve, and they have not
improved. They have grown worse,
rather. The territory in some sort
controlled by the provisional author
tiles at Mexico City has grown small
er, not larger.
Outlook Is DiscOuraging.
THE prospect of the pacification of
the country even by arms. has seemed
to grow more and more remote and
it's pacification by the authorities at