Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-18
NEUTRALITY. BUT WITHOUT
 LODGING GREAT ISSUES. The Attitude fer Nations and lndivid. uas, Says Rev, c. II. Rieketts.

The noon meeting at the Richmond Radiator company's plant on Wednes- day, held under Y. NJ .. A. auspices, was augmented by two vocal tious, and Your Light is Needed, by Mrs. Louis 0. Potter The selections were taken from the Billy Sunday song book.
 H'he speaker was Rev. .. II. Rick cts, and his subject was Neutrality. Rev MT. Ricketts said the word neu- trallty Is very widely used at the present time. The attitude taken by our government i'll the treatment of all parties engaged in the present great War is evidently the wise course to take. The issues at stake in this con- ffCt do rot involve any principle for which this country stands or for which 1t has ever stood. One would hardly think that any one of the beliigerent nations was in q. position at present to deliberately offend the United States. Beyond all question, there IS wisdom enough ill the departments of state to peacefully adjust these difficulties.
 Ii would be well if the wisdom dis to this war should extend to other branches of the government. Much harm is done everywhere is not ob- serving the grace of neutrality. NOth- iug will stop a quarrel quicker than by having nothing JU do with it, Ii is fuel that makes a fire burn. Take away the fuel. and the fire soon dies down. IICW tar would q church row go. that sometimes rendS the whole body. if the people would say. This thing is unseemIy for Christian people; We will have nothing whatever to gGo with It?' If this attitude of mind all ways prevailed, the matter would be tdTottled at the start. l. is when out sidcTs begin 10 take part in personal quarrels that the danger element is in troduced. Many disgraceful WranSIes iu congress and parliameuts, in state halls and municipal chambers might he avoided if the principle of neutrality were strictly adhered to.
 The word neutrality ts very sug- gestiye. Ii is not q term which cabi- nets and Eenates have cornered. It is simply an attitude of mind. It is the function of q, mans brain, To he or not to be was Hanlet's problem; to say and do or not say and do IS ours. IT d man thinks at all ne forms Opin- ions, and the question is shall he cE- press them: Now We have power to do things that would not he wise for US 10 do Neutrality is not 50 much 8 question Of right and wrong q s it is Of wisdom. Every man knows that he has the pow er to Go things that he cannot afford 10 dO-because 1t would hurt him.
 This subject has forced itself on my mind partly by the present European war and partly because 100 years ago this very day -Fen. IT, 181o-the treaty between England and the Unit cd States was ratiled by the two gov eTnments declaring peace between them: q peace that has not since been broken by warfare. Difficulties have arisen that nave called forth the grace CT self control several times. A na.- ton with an untortiiieG boundary line 4,000 miles long that has never called for armed protection can well be neu- tral in regard to 8 war 4,000 miles away.
 But how about neutrality where some great principle iB involved; a priaciple that affects the national hon. or? Even our country long suffering and induIgent, could not afford to be slapped in the face by any existing ma ton. The same is true within the sphere o9 individual life. In inc face Of something's no self respecting man would think of being neutral. 4 peace loving man, with one drop Of red blood in his veins would protect the honor of his family with his life if need be. In dealing with some things neutrality spells cowardice. Years ago the rum traffic would have been crush cd had it not been for the ueutrals. Dodging greet issues never brings peace ill the larger and more pernla,- nent sense.
 A man cannot always stand on nesI- tral ground in dealing with himself. We are tempted to panlpeT ourselves; to court ease and pleasure to let things drift; to follow the line of the least resistance in morals and religion. The Hill power, if properly trained, will call US from such dangerous neu- trality. The New Testament teaches tI1at if we held our peace at times the stones would immediately cry out.
 
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