The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-07
Is the message Of
President Wilson delivered ut
Joint session of the senate and

Gentlemen OF the Congress-Since I
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
Its portentous proportions, has extend
ed its threatening and sinister scope
until 1t has swept within its flame
some portion of every quarter Of the
globe. not excepting our own hemi-
sphere, has altered the whole face of
international affairs, and now presents
q prospect Of reorganization and re-
construction such as statesmen and
peoples have never been called upon
to attempt before.
Studiously Neutral.
We have stood apart, studiously neu-
trail. 1t was our manifest duty to do
80. Not only did we have no part or
interest in the policies which seem to
have brought the conflict on: it was
necessary, II 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
lily OF nations should keep the process
es OF peace alive, IL only to prevent
collective economic ruin and the break.
down throughout the world of the in.
dustries by which It's populations are
fed and sustained. 1t was manifestly
the duty of the self governed nations
OF this hemisphere to redress, If posi-
BILE, the balance of economic loss and
confusion in the other. II they could
do nothing more. In the day Of read
justment and recuperatlon we earnest
~ hope and believe that they can he
of infinite service.
In this neutrality, to which they
were hidden not only by their sep.
nrate life and their habltunl detach.
ment from the politics of Europe. but
also by clear perception OF interna.
tional duty, the states of America have
become conscious of new and more
vital community of interest and moral
partnership In affairs, more clearly
conscious of the many common sympa.
fhies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together.
There was a time in the early dnys
OF our own great nation and of the re.
publics fighting their way to independ.
cnce 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 en-.
croachments or efforts Mt political con
troll from the other side of the water
felt 1t 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 dlsin.
terested enthusiasm for the freedom
Of the Americas and the unmolested
self government Of her Independent
peoples. But 1t was always difficult to
maintain such a role without offense
to the pride Of the peoples whose free
dom Of action we sought to protect
and without provoking serious mis-
conceptions of our motives, and every
thoughtful 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
n full and honorable association as OF
partners between ourselves and on,
neighbors In the interest of all Amer
lea, north and south. Our concern TO,
the Independence and prosperity Of the
states OF Central and South America
Is not altered. We retain undated the
spirit that has inspired us throughout
the whole life of our government and
which was so frankly put into words
by President Monroe. We still near
always to make a common cause Of
national independence and Of political
liberty in America. But TINT purpose
is now better understood so far as /,
concerns ourselves. 1t Is known not tt
be selfish purpose. 1t is known tt
have in it no thought Of taking advan
tage of any government in this hemi
sphere or playing its political fortunes
for our own benefit. All the govern
inents Of America stand, so far rs we
are concerned, upon footing of genu
inc equality and urquestioncd indie
pendencc.
Put to the Test In Mexico.
We have been put to the test in the
case Of Mexico, and we have stood the
test. Whether we have benefited Mex
leo by the course we have pursued re
mains to be seen. Her fortunes are IL
her own hands. But we have at leas
proved that We will not take advan
:age Of her in her distress and under
ra4e to impose upon her an order ant
government Of our own choosing. Lib
erty is often fierce and intractablt
thing, to which no bounds can be SCI
and to which no bounds of n few
mems choosing ought ever to be set
Every American who has drunk a
the true fountains Of principle and ira
dition must subscribe without reserva
ton to the high doctrine OF the Viz
ginia bill Of rights, which in the grea
days In which our government was SCI
up was everywhere among Us accept
ed as the creed Of free men. That doc
trine Is, .'That government Is or ough
to be instituted for the common bene
at, protection and security Of the PEG
pie, nation or community" that @ol
all the various modes and forms o
government, that Is the best which 4
capable of producing the greatest, de
NJ n. ~