The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-12-07

joint session of the senate and
house at the beginning of khe
Sixty-fourth congress:
Gentlemen of the Congress- Since /
last lad the privilege Of addressing.
you on the state of the UnioIl the war
OF nations ON fhes other side of the sea.
which had then only begun to disclose
its portentuus proportions. has extend
ed its threatening and sinister scope
until it has swept within its fame
some portion Of every quarter of the
globe. not excepting our own xhemi
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 sbeen called upon
20 attempt before.
We have stood apart. studfousIy neu-
t-a1- It was our manifest duty to do
so. Not only did we have no part or
interest Ia the policies which seem to
have brought the conflict on; it was
necessary. II, q universal catastrophe
WAS to be avoided. that limit should
be set to the sweep OF destructive war
and that some part of the great fam
y , Of nations should keep the process.
IS OF peace alive. IL only to prevent
down. throughout the world of the in
dustrtes bx which its populations are
fed and sustained 1t was manifestIy
he duty Of the self governed nations
of Ehts hemisphere to- redress, If possi-
bic. the balance of economic loss and
infusion IN the other. If they could
do nothing more In the day of read
5us5Inent and recuperation we earnest
" hope and believe that they can be
Of Infinite service
In this neutrality. to which they
were hidden not only by their sep
arate life ara their habitual detach-
neht from the politics OF Europe but
also by clear perception Of Internal
tiunal duty the states of America have
became conscious of new and more
vial 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 time in the early days
Of unr own great nation and of the re-
publics lighting their way to independ-
ence In Central and South America
when the government of the United
StHres looked upon itself as In some
sort the guardian or the republics to
tthe south Of her as against any en-
croachments Or efforts at political con-.
troI from the other side of the water:
felt 1t it's duty 70 play the part even
without invitation from them. and 4
think that we can claim that the task
was undertaken with a true and disin-
ferested enthusiasm for the freedom
OF fhe Americas and the unmolested
SELF government Of her independent
peoples But It was always difficult to
maintain such q role without offense
10 the pride OF the peoples whose free
dom Of action we sought TO protect
aud without provoking serious mis-
prescriptions or our motives. and every
thonghtfuI man of affairs must wei
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
full and honorable association as of
partners between ourselves and our
neighbors in the interest OF all Amer
lea. north and south. Our concern for
the undergraduates and prosperity OF the
states Of Central and South America.
~ not altered We retain undated the
spirit that has inspired Us throughout
1fhe whole. life of our government and
which was so frankly put. into words
by President Monroe We still mean
national Independence and of politicai
liberty In America But that purpose
Is now better understood so far as it
concerns ourselves. 1t is known not TO
be selfish purpose 1t Is known to
have in it no thought of taking advan
ta@e of any government in this heni
sphere or playing fits political fortunes
for our own benefit All the govern
Tnents Of America stand. so far as We
are concerned. upon a footing of genu
Inc equality and unquestioued indie
pendence.
We have been put TO the test In the
case of Mexico. and, we have stood the
test Whether we have benefited Mex
fco by the course we haze pursued re
mains to be seen Her fortunes are fiji
her dwn hands But we have at leas
proved that we will not take advaIi
fage Of her In her distress and under
take to impose apon her an order and
government Of our Own choosing Lib
erty IL often fierce and fntractabl4
thing. TO whicis no bounds can be Sc
and 70 which no bounds or &c.
mems choosing ought ever to be SET
Every American who mas drunk a
the true fountains Of prineipIe and ira
diticn must subscribe without res<eFvs
ton to the high doctrine of the VIZ
ginia bill OF rights. which ia tlse srea
days in which our government was Sc
up was everywhere among us accept
ed as the creed Of free men- That doc
rrine is. THAT government is or oagh
to be instituted for the COMMON Bene
Mt, prstectien and security of the pee
pie. nation or community" that "ef
all the various modes and forms of
government, that is the best which Is
capable ef producing the greatest de-