Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-12-07

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Washington, Dee. Following is
the message Of President Wilson deliY-
cred today at joint session OF the sen
ate and house:
Gentlemen Of the Congress Since I
last had the privilege Of addressing
you on the state Of the Union the war
Of nations on the other SIDE Of tie sea,
which had then only begun TO disclose
its portentous proportions, has extend
ed It's threatening and sinister scope
until 1t has swept within its flame
soTpe 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 rsorga AVIATION and re-
construction such as statesmen and
peoples have never been called upon
to attempt before.
The president tells how this country
practieed neutrality and declares that
he hopes that when the time comes
for reimbursement and recuperation this
country VIII fse Of infinite service. Re
ferring to Central ard South American
problems, the president declares that
we should retxin nnsbated the spirit
which has inspired as throughout the
whole life Of our government and
which was so frankly put into words
by President Monroe.
We hive been put to the test in the
case Of Mexico, and We have stood the
test. whether we have benefited Mex
tyo by tAe course we have pursued re-
mains 10 be seen. Her fortunes are in
her own hands. Bat we have at least
proved that we VIII not take advan-
tage Of her In her distress and under
take to impose upon her an order and
government OF our ,Fwn choosing. lab
erty is often fieree and intraetable
thing, to which no bounds can be set
and to which no bounds Of q few
mems choosing oughS ever to he set
Every American who has drunk at
the true fountains Of principle and ira
dition must subscribe without reserya-
ton to the high doctrine Of the Vir-
GINA bill Of rights, which In the great
days in which our government was set
up was everywhere among US accept
ed as the creed Of free men. That doc
trine Is. 'That government is or ought
to be instituted for the common benc-
! tit. protection and seSalnty Of the peo-
pie. nation or community" that of
all the various modes and forms Of
government, that Is the best which is
capable of producing the greatest de
gree Of happiness and safety and is
most efectually secured against the
danger Of maladminisrarion, and that
when anY government shall be found
inadequate or contrary To these pur-
poses majority Of the community
hath an indubitabIe, inalienable and
indefeasible right 10 reform, alter or
abolish. it in such manner as shall be
judged most conducive to the public
veal" We have unhesitatingly APP
piled that heroic principle to the case
of Mexico and now hopefully await
the rehirih OF the troubled republic,
which had so much Of which TO purge
itself and so little sympathy from any
outside quarter In the radical bat nee
essary process, We viii aid and he
friend Mexico, but we will not coerce
her. and our course with regard 80 her
ought to be sufficient proof to all Amer
lea that we seek no political suzerainty
or selfish control.
Meme of Empires Spirit.
The moral Is that the states of Amer
+ lea are not hostile rivals, but coop
Grating friends, and that their grow
ing sense of community Of interest,
alike in matters political and in mat
ters economic, is likely TO give them a
new significance as factors In interna-
tional affairs and In the political bis
tory of the world. It presents them as
In very deep and true sense a unit
in world affairs, spiritual partners
standing together because thinking to
gether, quick with common sympathies
and common ideals. Separated, they
are subject to all the cross currents OF
the confused politics of world of hos
tile rivairies; united in spirit and pur
pose, they cannot be disappointed Of
their peaceful destiny
This is pan-Amerieanism. 1t has none
OF the spirit of empire in It. 1t is tho
embodiment, the effectual embodiment
Of the spirit Of law and independence
and liberty and mutual service,
The president calls attention TO the