The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-25
The Peril Of the Hated.

Among the many blessings for which
the people Of this country are called
upon to give thanks the antagonism
exhibited toward us by other nations
cannot be included. This antagonism
IL a constant and serious liability. for
which We may be forced presently to
pay too heavily in money. men and
misery. In a recen speech exam
bassador CHoATE. whose sources Of in
formation are exceptional and who Is
not by temperament or training an
alarmist, asserted that the ruited
States - the most universally hated
nation in the world at a time when
the dynamics Of hatred display them
selves as more ~savagely ic%onoclastic
than eve before in the history Of the
race.
It n az diflcult for the average
American to realize the full scope
and Significance OF Mr.. CHoArE's pro-
nouncement as II Is for him to COM
prehend the fact that not only u
material prosperity but even the lofty
ideals, apparently worthy Of universal
admiration. underlying our national
institutions beget envy. Jealousy and
detestat1on for us beyond our borders.
A country that provides an asylum
for the oppressed OF all nations and
in SO doing flourishes like Il green bay
tree cannot expect TO retain the good
will Of nations that are pro%portionate-
ly weakened MS it grows IN strength.
The influx to the United States dur
ing the last century OF much OF the
most vigorous manhood Of Europe has
not been conducive to our national
popularity among the rulers and
statesmen Of the Old World. For
every desirable immigrant who lands
upon our shores we are obliged e pay
the price OF a slightly increased hatred
toward rs somewhere across the sea.
But there Is another and q more
radical reason for the detestat!on that
! the powers that BE- in Europe and
other parts OF the world nourish
against our country. To the horror
and amazcment Of us Americans we
discovered at the outbreak OF the
present war that hereditary autocracy
Is still the dominant force in Europe,
not sufficiently weakened by what
seemed TO be. Il year and a half ago.
the progress OF democratic tendencies
to prevent II from inficting upon
modern civilization the bloodlest hu-
man tragedy Of all the ages. The Ell
ropean war wa preclpttated by. and
Is being carried on by, centralized
systems of government that arr 80
sentially antipodal 10 u American
Ideals methods of procedure and In
sistence upon the right Of n people
to rule itself. Hereditary autocray,
having perpetrated the most colossa!
crime In the history Of the race, Is
fighting for It's life IN Europe, and in
it's hour Of peril It f. not surprising
that It's bitterness toward that nation
which has been most successful in
demonstrating the superiority Of dem
ocratic owe monarchical institutions
should be intensified.
In considering these facts II be
hooves the people OF this country &c
bear in mind that eo.callcd historic
friendships among nations are OF
merely a sentimental and not Of q
practical value. The United State.
itself to-day Is in a position not un'
like that Of a quiet, prosperous. I'm
armed, somewhat nearsishted gentle,
man surrounded by a group OF blood
despatched ruffians cudgelling eact
other and, forgetfui OF any former tie'
binding them TO this innocent oniook
er. likely to sm!te him suddenly upor
his unprotected head. That he ha'
logic. precedent and the best Interests
OF civilization on his side against I'm
justifable assault Is not likely to avail
him much. Can II he that he hi.
been growing slightly deaf Of late
Are his ears closed 10 that neW Torn
Of the combined poetic and musica
|, arts that gives birth to hymns Of hate
II he continues To remain blind, dea
, and Indifferent 10 the forces that
wa ring world has begotten for hi
ultimate undoing his destruction will
obliterate the last rny OF hope for al
afflicted race. The protection Of civ
ilizntion rests with the United States
, and Its preservation can be accom-
/, plished not through the weakness o
. rainbow chasers but only by tn
, strength Of those Americans who hav
their feet on the ground, their eye
. on the game OF empires and thel
hands on their hip pockets.
60nw olnv IN AnOtheP Asnect.