The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-02-02

hold their own against the world.
In his address before the Railway
Business association banquet Pres
ident Wilson said he considered IL a
privilege Ito be permitted to lay be.
fore you some things to which we
ought to give our most careful and
deliberate consideration"
The questions. 1t seems to me-" he
said. which most demands clarifica-
ton just now IL the question to which
your toastmaster has referred-the
question Of preparation for national
defense.
i say that 1t stands in need of
clarincatton because. singularly
enough. It has been deply clouded by
passion and prejudice. 1t is very sin!
guiar that q question the elements of
which are 20 simple and 30 obvious
should have been 30 beclouded by the
discussion Of men Of high motive. men
|of purpose az handsome az any Of US
may claim. and yet apparently in
capable Of divesting themselves of
that sort Of provincialism which con-
sists In thinking the contents Of their
own minds to be the contents of the
mind Of the world. For. gentlemen,
while America Is very great nation,
while America contains all the eae-
ments Of 'ine force and accomplish
ment America does not constitute the
major part Of the world.
I'VE live In world which we did
not make. which we can not alter. ;.
It would be hopeless piece Of pro-
vincsalism to suppose that because we
think differently from the rest Of the
world We are At liberty to assume that
the rest OF the world will permit us
to snojy that thought without dis
.turbance.
IT 10 . surprising circumstance
also that men should allow partisan
feeling Of personal ambition to. creep
into the discussion of this fundamental
|thing. How can Americans difrer
about the safety of America?
And I. for my part. am ambitious
that America should do a greater arc,
more difficult thing than the great
nations on the other side Of the waser
have done. In all the belligerent
countries men. without distinction OF
party. have drawn together to accom-
plish q successful prosecution of the
war. Is 1t not q more difficult and a
more desirable thing that all Ameri-
cans should put partisan prepossession
aside?. 90. Na
only the other day the leader OF
the Republican minority in the house
Of representatives delivered q speech
that showed that he was ready, and
I take 1t for granted that the man
behind him were ready to forget
party lines in order that all men may
act with q common mind and pulse
for the service Of the country. And 1
want upon this first public occasion
to pay my tribute Of respect and OBJ
legation to him.
IT hnd 1t hard indeed to approach
this subject without deep emotion.
gentlemen, because. when we speak
Iof America and the things that are to
be conserved In her. does II not call
a wonderful picture into your mind? +?
America is young still. Think Of tho
great treasures Of youth and energy
and ideal purposes still to be drawn
from the deep resources from which
this nation has always drawn its
light...
Think Of the position into which
America has been drawn almost In
spite Of herself, by the circumstances
OF the present day. She is forced.
whether she will or not. in the days
immediately ahead Of us. to furnish
the world with It's chief economic
guidance and assistance.
I 1T In very fine to remember what
Ideals will be back Of that assistance.
Economic assistance In itself Is not
necessarily handsome. 1t is q legiti-
mate thing to make money. Money
brings with 1t power which may be
well or Ill employed. And 1t should
be the pride OF America always to
employ her money to the highest
purpose. And yet. II we are drawn
into the maelstrom that now surges
across the water and, swirls even in
the Western region of the world, VIC
shall not be permitted to keep a free
hand to do the high things that VIC
intend to do. And 1t is necessary
a