South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-07

house at the beginning of the
Sixty-fourth congress:
Gentlemen Of the Congress- Since l
last had the privilege of addressing
you on the state OF the Union the war
Of nations on the other side Of the sea,
which had then only begun to disclose
its pOrtentous proportions, has extend
ed it's threatening and sinister scope
until it has swept within its flame
some portion Of every quarter of the
globe, not excepting our own hemi-
sphere, has altered the whole face Of
international affairs, and now presents
a prospect Of reorganization and re
construction such as statesmen and
peoples have never been called upon
to attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neu-
trail. 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; it was
necessary, if n universal catastrophe
was to be avoided, that a limit should
be set TO the sweep OF destructive war
and that some part Of the great FAM
lily Of nations should keep the process
es Of peace alive, if only to prevent
collective economic ruin and the break
down throughout the world of the in
dustries by which its populations are
fed and sustained. 1t was manifestly
the duty Of the self governed nations
OF this hemisphere 10 redress, if posi-
bic, the balance of economic loss and
confusion In the other if they could
do nothing more. In the day of read
justment and recuperatiCn we earnest
" hope and believe that they can DO
Of infinite service.
In this neutrality, to which they
were hidden not only b. their sep
arate life and their habitual detach-
ment from the politics OF Europe, but
also by a clear perception Of interna-
tional duty, the states of America have
become conscious OF a new and moro
vital community Of interest and moral
partnership in affairs, more clearly
conscious OF the many common sympa-
thies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together
There was a time i'm the early days
Of our own great nation and OF the re-
publics fighting their way to independ-
ence i'm Central and South America
when the government Of the United
States looked upon itself as in some
sort the guardian OF the republics TO
the south of her as against any en-
crOachments or efforts at political con-
troll from the other side Of the water;
felt it its duty 10 play the part even
without invitation from them. and l
think that we can claim that the task
was undertaken with true and disin.
terested enthusiasm for the freedom
OF the Americas and the unmOlested
self government of her independent
peoples. But it was always difficult TO
maintain such role without Offense
10 the pride of the peoples whose free
dom OF action we sought to protect
and without provoking serious mis-
conceptions OF our motives. and every
thoughtful man Of affairs must well
come the altered circumstances of the
new day in whose light we now stand,
when there is no claim OF guardian
ship or thought of wards but instead
a full anG honorable association as OF
partners between ourselves and our
neighbors in the interest of all Amer
lea 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
tho whole life Of our government and
wnicn was SO frankly put into words
by President Monroe. We still mean
always 10 make a common cause Of
national independence and Of political
liberty i'm America. But that purpose
is now better understood so far as it
concerns ourselves. Ii Is known not to
be n selfish purpose Ii is known 10
have I'm il no thought OF taking advan-
tage Of any government in this hemi-
sphere or plnyiIc its political fortunes
for our own benefit All the govern
mentS Of America stand, so far as we
are concerned. upon a footing OF genu-
inc equality and unqueStioned indie
pendence
We have been put 20 the test in the
case Of Mexico. and we have stood the
test Whether we have benefited Mex
leo by the course we have pursued re-
mains 10 be seen. Her fortunes are In
her own hands. But we have at least
proved that we viii not take advan-
tage Of her I'm her distress and under
take u impose upon her an orde- and
government Of orr own choosing Lib
erty IS often a fierce and intractablo
thing. 20 which no bounds can be set
and 10 which no bounds OF a few