Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-12-09


Gentlemen of the Congress: Since last
had the privilege of addressing you on
the state of the union the war of nations
.on the other side of the sea, which had
then only begun to disclose it's porten-
tous proportions, has extended its threat
ening and sinister scope until it has
swept within its flame some portion of
every quarter of the globe, not except
ing our own hemisphere, has altered the
whole face of international affairs. and
now presents prospect of reorganiza- :
ton and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been called
upon to attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neu-
trail. It 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: It was necessary,
u q universal catastrophe was to be
avoided, that limit should be set to
the sweep Of destructive war and that
sone part OF the great family OF nations
u only to prevent collective economic
, sutn and the breakdown throushout the
world Of tho industries by which It's pop
ulaesons are fed and s1stained. 1t was
rnanifestly the duty of the self governed
nations of this hemisphere to redress, If
possible. the balance of economic loss and
confusion in the other, II they could do
nothing more. In the day of readjust-
mant and recuperatton. we earnestly hope
and believe that they can be Of infinite
service.
New U. s. Relationships.
In this neutrality, to which they were
hidden not only by their separate life
and their habitual detachment from the
Dolitics OF Europe. but also by clear
perception of international duty, the
states Of America have become conscious
.of-anneWs and more vital community of in
terest and moral; partnership In affairs,
more clearly conscious of the many COM
mon sympathies and interests and duties
which bid them stand together.
Therc was time in the early days of
our own great nation and of the..repub-
Hes fighting their way to independence
in Central and South America when the
government of the United States looked
upon itself as in some sort the, guardian
OF the republics to the south of her as
against any encroachments or efforts at
political control from the other side OF
the, water. =. felt it its duty to. play the
part even without Invitation from them;
and think that we can claim that the
task was undertaken with true and
disinterested enthusiasm for the freedom
OF the Americas and the unmolested sell
government of her Independent peoples
But It was always difficult to maintain
st,ci. 4 role without cffense 10. the pride
We sought TO pf6tkct and t1ftk0Gt pro.
'vOking serious misconceptions of our mo-
tfves. and every thoughtful man of af-
fairs must welcome the altered circum-
stances of the new day in whose light
we now stand, when there is no claim
OF guardianship or thought OF wards but
instead. full and honorable association
as of partners between ourselves and
our neighbors in the interest of all
America. north and SOUTH Our concern
-
the states of:Ccntral and South America
is not altered. We retain unabated the
spirit that has inspired us throughout the
whole life of our government and which,
was 80 frankly put into words by Presi-
dent Monroe. We still mean aiways to
pendence and of politic.- liberty lin
America. But that purpose is now better
understood so far as it concerns our
selves. 1t is known not to be n selfish
purpose. 1t is known to have in 1t nc
thought of taking advantage of any gov
arnment in this hemisphere or playing
its political fortunes for our own benefit
All tho governments of America stand
so far as we are concerned, upon n foot
ing of genuine equality and unquestioned
Independence.
Mexico and Liberty.
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 owr
hands. But we have at least proved tina,
we will not take advantage of her in her
distress and undertake to impose upon
her an order and government of our owr
choosing. Liberty is often a fierce ard
sntractable thing, to which no bounds car
be set; and to which no bounds of few
mems choosing ought ever to be set
ipNp xr,1,n
at the. true fountains Of principle and
tradition must subscribe without reser.
walton to the high doctrine of the Vir-
ginia bill of rights. which in the grea,
days in which our government was sci
,p was everywhere amongst US accepted
as the creed of free men. That doctrine
Is: That government Is, or ought to be
Instituted for the common benefit, pro.
lection. and security of the people. ma.
ton. or community:s that. ''of all the
various modes and forms of government
chat Is the best which is capable of pro
ducing the greatest degree of happiness
and safety. and is most effectually Sc
CARED against the danger OF maladmin-
istrati0n, and that. when any govern
nent shall be found inadequate or CON
trary to these purposes. IL majority of the
ocnmounity hath an indnbitable, ii,alien-
abtc and indefeasible right to- reform. al
ter or abolish 1t. .ins ancff manner Us shal
kHs JOufsET HOSl COUuGc1VC 10 the pub
nc veal We have. unhesi tatingly ap-
PlfeH chat, heroic principle to: the. case
OF Mexico, and now hopefully await the
Fehirth OF the tronbled republic. which
hid SO much or which to purge itself and
80 lHtlc sympathy from any outside quar-
ter in tho radical hut necessary process
We Will aid and befrIend Mexico, BIZ,
we WITH not .coercs her, and our courss
with regard to; her ought to be sufficien,
psc1 to all. Atfaerlca that we seek no 20.
tItica1 tuzerainty or selfish. control.
No Rivalry In Americas.
4 The -noral sis. that the states. Of Amer.
ica afeanot hostile rivals, bit cooperat
ing friends, and that their growing sense
OF community of interest, alike in mat
ters political aud in matters economic, il
likely to give them new significance AZ
factors in International affairs and in
ne .poiltieal. history -of the. world. II
presents them as in Il very deep ana
true sense nNii,Iit in world affairs. spil-
itual partners. standing together because
thinking together. quick with comlnor
symPathles ard common ideals Sep
sEated they are subject to all the eros,
currents Of. the confused politics OF 4
world Of hostile .rivaliies united in spirf,
and purpose they cannot be disappointed
Of their peaceful destiny.
This. u Pan. America aIsr,. u. has none
sese s me!as s9sessys' Il 's sSedinsst s Il s en- &
eAe splrJt sf law and Independence and
ARortJ And mutual service.
4 vary notable body Of men recentls
- 4 the city q Washington, ut <hs In