The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-12-08

I oAaA. IL was our manifest duty 10
do so. Not only did we have no part
or interest in the policies which seem
10 have brought the conflict on: II
was necessary. II a universal catas-
uophe was TO be avoided. that a limit
should be set to the sweep Of de
structive war 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
It's populations are fed and sustained,
IL was manifestly the duty OF the SELF.
governed nations OF this hemisphere
TO redress. II possible. the balance OF
/ economic loss and confusion in the
other. If they could do nothing more.
In the way OF readjustment and recup-
Grafton we earnestly hope and believe
mat they can be OF INFINITE service.
In this neutrality. to which they
were hidden not only by their separ.
ate life and their habitual detachment
from the politics OF Europe but also
by clear perception OF international
duty. the states of America have be.
come conscious OF new and more
vital community OF interest and moral
partnership in affairs. more clearly
conscious OF the many common sym.
pathies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together.
There was a time in the early days
OF our own great nation and OF the
republics lighting their way to Inde.
pendence in Central and South Am.
erica when the government OF the
United States looked upon itself as IN
some sort the guardian OF the re-
publics to the south Of her as against
new encroachments or Efforts at poll.
teal control from the other side of
the water; felt IL its duty TO play the
part even without invitation from
them: and | think that we can claim
that the task was undertaken with a
true and disinterested enthusiasm for
the freedom of the Americas and the
unmolested self-government of her IN.
dependent peoples. But IL was always
difficult TO maintain such a role with
out onense to the pride OF the peoples
whose freedom of action we sought TO
protect. End without provoking serious
misconceptions OF our motives. and
every thoughtful man Of affairs must
welcome the altered circumstances OF
the new day I'm whose light we now
stand. when there Is no claim OF
guardianship or thought OF wards but.
instead. full and honorable associa-
ton as OF partners between ourselves
and our neighbors. in the interest OF
all America, north and south. Our
concern for the independence and pros
perity OF the states OF Central and
South America is not altered. We re-
tain undated the spirit that has IN
spired us throughout the whole life
OF our government and which was so
frankly put into words by President
Monroe. We still mean always to
make common cause OF national In
dependence and of political liberty IN
America. But that purpose Is now
better understood so far as il concerns
ourselves. II is known not TO be a sell
hsh purpose. II Is known to have in
II no thought Of taking advantage OF
any government in this hemisphere or
playing its political fortunes for our
own benefit All the governments or
America. stand. so far as We are con
cerned. upon a footing OF genuine
equality and unquesuoned indepen-
dence.
Stood the Test.
We have been put to the test in the
case OF Mexico. and we have stood the
test. Whether we have benefited
Mexico by the course We have pursued
remains TO be seen. Her fortunes are
In her own hands. But we have at
least proved that we will not take ad-
vantage OF her in her distress and I'M
dertake to impose upon her an order
and government OF our own choosing.
Liberty is often a fierce and intract-
able thing, TO which no bounds can be
set, and 10 which no bounds OF a few
mems choosing ought to be set. Every
American who has drunk at the tree
fountains OF principle and tradition
must subscribe without reservation TO
the high doctrine OF the Virginia BIZ
OF Rights, which in the great days in
which our government was set up was
everywhere amongst US accepted as
the creed OF free men. That doctrine
Is, That government Is, or ought 20
be. instituted for the common bnent,
protection. and security OF the people,
nation, or community" that 'of ali
the various modes and forms Of gov
eminent. that Is the best which n
capable Of producing the greatest de-
gree OF happiness and safety, and ~
most enectually secured against the
danger Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.: and
that, when any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these
purposes, majority Of the community
hath an indubitable. inalienable. and
indefeasible right to reform. alter. or
abolish 10, in such manner az shall be
judged most conducive to the public
veal" We have unhesitatingly ap-
piled that heroic principle 20 the case
OF Mexico. and nov hopefully await
the rebirth Of the troubled Republic.
which had 80 much Of which to purge
Itself and 80 little sympathy from any
outside quarter In the radical but
necessary process. We viii aid and
coerce her. and our course with re-
gard 20 her ought 20 be sufficient
proof % an America that we seek no
political suzerainty or selfish control
The moral a.. that the states Of Am
erica are not hostile rivals but CO.
operating friends and that their grow
INK sense Of community Of Interest.
alike Do matters political and in mat.
ters economic. o. likely 20 give them
new significance as factors boz inter,
national affairs and Boz tho political
history u the world. 70 presents them
as 10 very deep and true sense a
unit IN world Affairs. spiritual pau.
ners. standing together because think.
ing together. quick with common sym