The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-07
America Has Stood Apart, and
Is Impartial in Conflict.
President Asks for Friendship,
but Not Without Honor.
MONROE DOCTRINE is SACRED
Washington Declares Against
European Aggression.
Executive ExcOriates Hyphenat-
ed Citizens: Asks New Laws.

Gu CtlLeHSs ASKS new La hSs
~ ENTLEMEN OF THE CON
GRESS: Since 1 last hac
M the privilege Of addressins
you on the state of the UnioT
the war of nations on the other side
of the sea, which had then only be
gun to disclose its portentous pro
portions, has extended its threatening
and sinister scope until it has sweep
within its flame some portion of every
quarter of the globe. not excepting oul
own hemisphere, has altered tbs
whole face of international affairs
and now presents prospect of re
organization and reconstruction such
as statesmen and peoples have never
been called upon to attempt before.
We have stood apart. studiouS-
Nv neutral. 1t 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; il was
necessary. if a universal catas-
trophe was to be avoided. that Il
limit should be set to the sweep
of destructive war and that some
part of the great family OF IA
tons should keep the processes
of peace alive, if only to prevent
collective economic ruin and the
breakdown throughout the world
of the industries by which ITS
populations are fed and Sus-
tained- 1t was manifcStly the
duty of the scIf-SOvcrncd nations
of this hemisphere to redress. If
possible, the balance of economic
loss and confusion i'm the other, if
they could do nothing more. In
the day of readjustment and re-
cIIperation we earnestly hope and
believe that they can be of i'll
finite service.
In this neutrality. to which they
were hidden not only by their separate
life and their habitual detachme Mt
from THE politics Of Europe hut also
by a clear perception of international
duty, the states of America have be
come conscious of a new and moro
EffnT cDfnfnHnIty of interest and moral
CONSCIOUS of the many common SYM
pathies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together.
There was a time in the carly
days of our own great nation and
of the republics fighting their
way TO independence in Central
and South America when the gov
ernmcnt of the United States
looked upon itself as in some sort
The guardian of the republics to
the South of her as against any
encrOachmcnts or efforts at pol
iticaI control from the other side
of the water; felt ii its duty %
play the part even without invita-
we can claim that the task was
undertaken with a true and inter
estcd enthusiasm for the freedom
of the Americas and the unulO-
Tested Sclf-gOVcrnmcnt Of her in
dependent peoples.
But it was always difficult to main
tain such a role without offence to
the pride of the peoples whose free
dom of action We sought to protect
and without provoking serious mis-
Of
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,
full and honorable association as
of partners between ourselves and cur
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 I'M
abated the spirit that has inspired us
throughout the whole life of our gov
eminent and which was so frankly
nut into words by President Monroe.
We still mean always to make COM
mon cause of national independence
and of political liberty in America.
But that purpose is now better under
stood so far as il concerns ourselves.
It is known not to be a selfish I.Ur-
pose. 1t is known to have in it no
thought of taking advantage of any
government in this hemisphere or
nlavinc its political fortunes for our
own benefit. All the governments of
America stand, so far as We are con-
cerned. upon a footing Of genuine
equality and unquestione6 indcpen-
dence-
We have been put to the test in
the case of Mexico, and we have
stood the test. Whether we have
benefited Mexico by the course
we have pursued remains to be
seen Her fortunes are in her own
hands. But we have ut least
Droyed that we will not take adj
vantage of her in her distress and
undertake to impose upon her an
order and government of our own
choosing. Liberty Is often fierce
and fntractabIe thing. to which no
bounds can be set, and to which
no bounds of n few mems chOOS-
ing ought ever to be set.
Every American who has drunk at
the true fountains of principle and
ia ditiou must subscribe without reser-
1ration TO the high doctrine of the Vir-
rinia Bill of Rights, which in the
great days in which our government
vas set up was everywhere amongst
re accepted as the creed of free men
or ought to be. instituted for the COM
mon benefit, protection, and security
~ tbe people, nation. or community
that s.of all the various modes and
forms of government. that is the best
rv,i,sh is capable of producing the
greatest degree of happiness and safe
~ and is most effectually secured
ton. and that, when any government
- III he found inadequate or contrary
TO these purposes, majority of the
community hath an indubitable, in