The Washington herald., 1913-12-28


In foreign and domestic affairs alike the
policy pursued during my administration
was simple. In foreign affairs the prin-
ciple from which we never deviated was
to have the nation behave toward other
nations precisely as a strong, honorable
and upright man behaves In dealing with
his fellow-men. There is no such thing
as international law in the sense that
there is municipal law or law within a
nation. Within the nation there is al
ways a Judge. and a policeman who
stands back OF the judge. The whole
system of law depends first upon the
fact that there is a judge competent to
pass judgment, and second upon the fact
that there is some competent officer whose
duty 1t is to carry out this judgment
by force il necessary. In international
law there is no judge, unless the parties
in interest agree that one shall be con-
stituted: and there Is no policeman 10
carry out the judges orders. In con-
sequence, as yet each nation must de-
pend upon itself for its own protection.
The frightful calamities that have be-
fallen China, solely because she has had
no power of self-defense, ought to make
1t inexcusable in any wise American citi-
zen to pretend TO patriotic purpose, and
yet 10 fail to insist that the United Staes
essary TO assert its rights with a strong
hand. II is folly OF the criminal type
for the nation not to keep up its navy,
not to fortify its vital strategic points
and not to provide an adequate army
for its needs. On the other hand, IL is
wicked for the nation to fail in either
justice, courtesy, or consideration when
dealing with any other power big or
little. John Hay was Secretary of state
when l became President, and continued
to serve under me until his death. and
his and my views as to the attitude that
the nation should take In foreign affairs
were identical, both as regards our duty
to be able to protect ourselves against the
strong and as regards our duty always
to act not only justly, but generously
toward the weak.
John Hay.
John Hay was one OF the most de-
lighdul of companions. one Of the most
charming OF att men of cultivation and
action. Our views on foreign affairs CO.
incided absolutely: but. as was natural
enough. in domestic matters he felt much
more conservative than he did in the
days when as young man he was
private secretary TO the great radical
democratic leader OF the SOS, Abraham
Lincoln. He was fond OF jesting with
me about my supposedly dangerous teRsa
denctes In favor Of labor against Capi-
tai. When / was inaugurated on March
4, 1895. wore a ring he sent me the
evening before. containing the hair OF
Abraham Lincoln. This ring was on my
finger when the Chief Justice admins
tered 10 me the oath of allegiance to the
TW1NN NaA Wne
John Hay that when wore such a
ring on such an occasion bound myself
more than ever to treat the Constitution.
after the manner Of Abraham Lincoln,
as a document which put human rights
above property rights when the two con-
hicted. The last Christmas John Hay
was alive he sent ME the manuscript Of
Morse Saga by William Morris, with
the following note:
christmas Eve. laoI'
Dear Theodore-In your quality of
Viking this Morse saga should belong to
you, and in your character of Enemy OF
Property this Ms OF William Morris will
appeal to you. Wishing you a Merry
Christmas and many happy years, I am
yours affeCtiOnately,
JOHN HAY"
Social Retirement.
In internal affairs l cannot say that l
entered the Presidency with any deliber
ately planned and far-reaching scheme
Of social betterment. l had. however.
certain strong convictions; and | was
en- the lookout for every opportunity of
realizing those convictions. l was bent
upon making the government the most
efficient possible instrument in helping
tie people of the United States to better
themselves in every way, politically, so