Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-22
In the Paths OF Peace

Il just pride the address delivered by
President Wilson at the luncheon Of the AS
sociated Press. 1t is the speech of man
with vision, who tests theories of govern
ment in the scales Of morals, as we'll as in
the scales of eXpediency, and who not only
believes it possible for nation to possess the
instincts and practice the code OF gentle
man, but that il cannot, with due regard
10 its own safety. follow any other rule.
I'VE do not want anything that does not
belong 10 us said the President. and that
states the fact. We have no territorial am
billions; there is people or tribe on the
face Of the earth that has the slightest rea-
son to fear our oppression or TO apprehend
from invasion of it's liberties. The
freedom that we established for ourselves and
Insist retaining wish assured to every
other nation under the sun.
We have got away from the theory that one
country prosper only by undermining the
prosperity or Selling the territory of another
With the exception of a few mad LIMOGES only
occasionally vocal nowadays, we have come
around to the conclusion that the best way
TO advantage ourselves is to advantage others.
National honesty is not only one synonym
for national honor. but ii is also the best
policy.
1t is the policy Of peace. The man who
walks around with chip on his shoulder is
encountering constantly other men similarly
accoutcred. and the outcome of such meet
ingS is at once natural and inevitable. The
man who accents other o. life's phases, whose
mein is benevolent rather than truculent.
who gives others their dues and expects TO
receive his own but is pleasant about it,
nevertheless, maintains his dignity. increases
his worldly possessions and keeps within the
law.
There is nothing in the experiences
through which Europe has just passed and
is passing that impairs the validity of these
"a fpr hoy nj tn
the United States. The case Of Belgium was
exceptional She like man who walks
down the street between two other men
pining for chance 10 get at each others
threats. When the break came she suffered
the fate Of him who stands in PASSIONS path.
We are not so circumstanced. No nation
will strike at another over our shoulder. If
an attack comes il will come direct, and ii
the United States follows the policy for
which Mr.. Wilson stands it will come un-
provoked.
1t would be idle to think TO say that
our future is wholly without menace. There
are dangers that we must consider and that
We must be prepared to face, but preparation
is not turbulence, and certainly it is not de-
fance. America first" as the President
said, and American ideals first, because they
best for ourselves and the world We
can strengthen our navy, make our small
standing army more efficient and, perhaps
little more numerous, and encourage the Ma
uonal Guard to expansion and larger useful
ness. without shaking our fist under the nose
OF any other power.
This government has been neutral in the
great conflict now raging, whatever the
partizans of one antagonist or another shall
allege. From the moment when the fires Of
war were lighted, Mr.. Wilson has upheld the
finest traditions OF the nation and the race
lie has kept the faith God grant him." as
Frank p. Noyes said in his speech of intro
ducton continuing success in his high aims
for the peaceful progress Of the people OF the
United States"