The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-12-16

go
with reference 10 the future, spoke OF
the need OF stronger defense IN oraet
70 uphold the Mpnfoe doctrine am
touched ugoR internal problems. lie
specifically scored the american
actions e9 some citizens ana the aetiVl-
lives az certain aliens ana requested
the enactment OF laws 10 punish OIL
tenders. Tae message follows:
Gentlemen III the Congress: Since l last
had the privilege OF addressing you on
the state OF the union the war of nations
On the ether side of the sea, which had
then only begun to disclose its portehr
aoas proportions, has extended its threat
sniag and sinister scope until 1t mas
swept within its flame some portion of
every quarter of the globe, not except
Ing Our own hemisphere, has altered the
whole face of international affairs. and
now presents a prospect of r~eorganiza-
ton and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been called
upon to attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neu-
tral. II was our manifest duty to do so,
Not only did we have no part or interest
In the policies which seem to have
brought the conflict on; II was necessary,
II a universal catastrophe was to be
avoided, that a limit should be set to
the sweep of destructive wal and that
some part of the great family of nations
should keep the processes of peace alive,
II only to prevent collective economic
ruin and the breakdown throughout the
world OF the Industries by which its pop
ulations are fed and sustained. 1t was
manifestly the duty of the self governed
nations of this hemisphere to redress, if
possible, the alliance of economic loss and
confusion in the other, if they could do
nothing more. In the day of readjuSt-
ment and fecuperation, we earnestly hope
and believe that they can be of infinite
service.
New u. S. Relationships.
In this neutrality, to which they We're
hidden not only by their separate life
KID their habitual detachment from the
politics of Europe, but also by a clear
perception of international duty, the
Mates of America have become conscious
" a new and more vital community of in
crest and moral partnership in affairs,
more clearly conscious Of the many COM
mon syinpathies n interests and duties
which bid them stand together.
There was a time in the early days of
gur own great nation and of the repub-
rcs fighting their way to independence
N Central and South America when the
government OF the United States looked
lpon itself as in some sort the guardian
II the republics to the south of her as
Igainst any encroachments or efforts at
Political control from the other side OF
The water; felt 1t its duty to play the
art even without invitation from them;
and | think that we can claim that the
TASK was undertaken with a true and
Msinterested enthusiasm for the freedom
or the Americas and the unmolested self
government Of her independent peoples.
But 1t was always difficult to maintain
such a role 3without offense to the pride
pf the peoples whose freedom of action
we sought to protect, and without pro-
yoking serious misconceptions of our mo-
sves. and every thoughtful man Of af-
iairS must welcome the altered circum-
stances OF the new day in whose light
we now stand, when there is no claim
pr guardianship or thought of wards. but,
instead, q full and honorable association
as OF partners between ourselves ard
u neighbors. in the interest of all
America, north and south. Our concern
for the Independence and prosperity Of
the states of Central and South America
is not altered. We retain undated the
spirit that has inspired us throughout the
whole life of our government n which
was SO frankly put into words by Presi-
dent Monroe. We still mean always to
make a common cause of national indie
p~endence and of political liberty In
America. But that purpose Is now better
understood SO far as 1t concerns our
serves. 1T is known not to be a selfish
purpose. 1T Is known to lave In it no
thought Of taking advantage of any gov
ernment In this hemisphere or playing
Its political fortunes for our own benefit
All the governments Of America stand,
50 Tar as we are concerned, upon a foot
ing OF genuine equality and unquestioned
independence.
Mexico and Liberty.
We have been put to the test in the
ease OF Mexico, and we nave stood the
Test. Whether we have benefited Mexico
Dy the course we have pursued remains