The Washington herald., 1915-11-05

speak his own thoughts and TO risk his
own opinions IN this matter. We are
here dealing with things that are vital
to the life Of America itself. In doing
this ] have tried 70 purge my heart OF
all personal and selfish motives. For the
time being. speak as the trustee and
guardian Of a nations rights, charged
with the duty OF speaking for that ma
ton In matters involving her sovereignty
"a nation too big and generous to be
exactins and yet courageous enough to
defend its rights and the liberties of Its
people wherever assailed or invaded.
would not feel that / was discharging
the solemn obligation owe the country
were i not to speak In terms OF the
deepest solemnity OF the urgency and
necessity Of preparing ourselves to guard
and protect the rights and privileges OF
our people, our sacred heritage Of the
fathers who struggled to make US an
Independent nation.
The only thing within our own bor-
ders that has given US grave concern in
recent months has been that voices have
been raised in America protesting to be
the voices of Americans which were not
indeed and in truth Americans, but which
spoke alien sympathies. which came from
men who loved other countries better
than they loved America. men who were
partisans OF other causes than that Of
America and had forgotten that their
chief and only allegiance was to the great
government under which they live. These
voices have not been many. but they have
been very loud and very clamorous. Tho
have proceeded from a few who were
bitter and who were grievously misled.
America has not opened its doors IN vain
to men and women out OF other nations.
The vast majority OF those who have
come to take advantage Of her hospitality
have united their spirits with hers as
well as their fortunes. These men who
speak alien sympathies are not their
spokesmen. but are the spokesmen OF
small groups whom II 10 high time that
the nation should call to a reckoning. The
chief thing necessary In America In order
that she should let all the world know
that she is prepared TO maintain her own
great position is that the real voice of
the nation should sound forth unmistak-
ably and in majestic volume. in the deep
unison OF a common. unhesitating ma
tional feeling. do not doubt that upon
the first occasion. upon the FIRST oppor-
tunity upon the first definite challenge.
that voice will speak forth in tones which
no man can doubt and with commands
which no man dare gainsay or resist.
May not say. while / am speaking
of this, that there Is another danger
that we should guard against We
should rebuke not only manifestations
of racial feeling here in America
where there should be none. but also
every manifestation OF religious and
sectarian antagonism. II does not be-
come America that within her bor-
ders. where every man is free to follow
the dictates of his conscience and wor-
ship God as he pleases. men should
raise the cry of church against church.
To do that Is to strike at the very
spirit and heart OF America. We are
a God-fearing people. We agree TO
differ about methods OF worship. but
we are united in believing in Divine
Providence and in worshiping the God
OF Nations. We are the champions OF
religious right here and everywhere
that IL may be our privilege to give
II our countenance and support. The
government is conscious OF the obliga-
tion and the nation is conscious OF
the obligation. Let no man create di-
where there are none.
Here is the nation God has builded |
by our hands. What shall We do with
II? Who is there who does not stand
ready at all times to act in her behalf
in a spirit of devoted and disinterested
We are yet only in the
youth and frst consciousness OF our I
power. The day OF our country's life /
Is still but in its fresh morning. Let