Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1914-09-11
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER II, 1914.
THE PRESIDENTS ADVICE.

President Wilson's clear and fair
statement of the obligation of neutrality
of sentiment which rests upon the citi-
zens of this country must excite APP
proval from all quarters. 1t is very
modestly put forward in the form of
advice rather than as in any way a
command. Probably it cannot be en-
tirely lived up to, and it is unlikely that
the President expected that it would
be. But the general effect of such ad
monition cannot fail to he beneficial.
The President merely reminds us of
what we all know to be the fact, name
ly, that we are citizens Of country
which has declared itself neutral and
therefore have an obligation to be i'm
partial imposed upon US.
Public sentiment insofar as it is
judgment in the minds of men cannot be
affected by declarations of war or neu-
tralty. However loyal man may be,
he owes it to himself to be honest with
his own opinions. So the underlying
feeling which resides in the minds of
men cannot rightly be affected by gov
eminent acts or DEGREES. If the ma
jority of American citizens feel in their
hearts that the war in Europe is the
most atrocious crime of modern times
and take sides in their hopes violently
according as they may believe that one
sovereign or another brought it on, no
declaration of neutrality attempts to
prevent them from feeling so. How
men feel in such circumstances is not
the important.
What the President asks of US Amer
leans is not that we refrain from feel
ing, but that in the present emergency
we conceal them. The circumstances of
the great war have thrust our nation
forward more prominently than ever
before We stand in a trust relation
ship to every nation involved. Our ma
tional position must be as impartial as
that of any Judge We are the only
great nation standing entirely aloof
from the whirlpool of war, and for that
reason have been called upon by prac-
tically every nation involved to act as
stake holder. The German legation in
London mas handed over its affairs to
the American embassy, and the same
policy has been followed almost every
where We have been trusted with
their affairs while they fight each other.
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prestige to be thus singled out. If we
can maintain an impartial exterior, we
shall surely come out of this trouble
with the good will of the world.
But there is reason for keeping our
sentiments as to the partisans of the
war concealed which affects US more
closely. We are nation drawn from
many nations. Our best citizens, many
of them, are drawn from countries now
at war. There are multitude of cases
where the feeling which these citizens
have for the old country is second only
to their affection for the new. German.
Americans, for instance, have justifi-
able and natural pride of race French.
Americans have the honor of France
close to their hearts. And there are
multtudes who feel for Great Britain
and the culture which she has be-
queathed US. A nation thus composed
is no place for partisan talk about the
war. Decent regard for the feelings OF
fellow citizens, as well as the patriotism
which seeks for united nation in this
new land, alike dictate the kind Of
restraint and leticence in discussing the
European situation which the Presiden
advises. Burlington Free Press.