The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-09-08

impudently spoke for the very forces
that had driven his people to the re-
bellion with which he had pretended
to sympathize. The men who over
came him and drove him out repre-
sent at least the fierce passion of
reconstruction which lies at the very
heart of liberty; and so long as they
represent, however imperfectly, such
struggle for deliverance, | am ready
to serve their ends when | can. So
long as the power of recognition
rests with me the Government of the
United States will refuse to extend
the hand of welcome to any one who
obtains power in sister republic by
treachery and violence. No perma-
macy can be given the affairs of any
republic by title based upon in
trigue and assassination. | declared
that to be the policy of this Admin
istration within three weeks after |
assumed the presidency. l here
again vow it. l am more interested
in the fortunes of oppressed men and
pitiful women and children than in
any property rights whatever. Mis-
takes l have no doubt made in this
preplexing business, but not in pur-
pose or object.
More is involved than the imme-
diate destines of Mexico and the re-
lations of the United States with a
distressed and distracted people. All
America looks on. Test is now being
made of us whether we be sincere
lovers of popular liberty or not and
are indeed to be trusted to respect
national sovereignty among our
weaker neighbors. We have under
taken these many years to play big
brother to the republics of this hem
ispherc. This is the day of our test
whether we mean, or have meant, to
play that part for our own benefit
wholly or also for theirs. Upon the
outcome of that test (its outcome in
their minds, not in ours) depends ev-
cry relationship of the United States
with Latin America, whether in poll
tics or in commerce and enterprise.
These are great issues and lie at the
heart of the gravest tasks of the fu-
ture, tasks both economic and politi-
cal and very intimately inwrought
with many of the most vital of the
new issues of the politics of the
world. The republics Of America have
in the last three years been draw
ing together in a new spirit of ac-
commodation, mutual understanding,
and cordial cooperation. Much of
the politics of the world in the years
to come will depend upon their rela-
tionship with one another. 1t is a
barren and provincial craftsmanship
that loses sight of such things!
The future, the immediate future,
will bring US squarely face to face
with many great and exacting prob
lens which will search US through and
through whether we be able and ready
to play the part in the world that we
mean to play. 1t will not bring us
into their presence slowly, gently,
with ceremonious introduction, but
suddenly and at once, the moment the
war in Europe is over They will
be new problems, most of them; ma
ny will be old problems in new set
ting and with new elements which we
have never dealt with or reckoned
the force and meaning of before.
They will require for their solution
new thinking, fresh courage and re-
sourcefulness, and in some matters
radical reconsiderations of policy.
We must be ready to mobilize our
resources alike Of brains and of ma
terials.
1t is not a future to be afraid Of.
1t is, rather, a future to stimulate
and excite us to the display Of the
best powers that are in US. We may
enter it with confidence when we are
sure that we understand it,-and we
have provided ourselves already with
the means of understanding it.
Look first at what it will be neces-
sary that the nations of the world
should do to make the days to come
tolerable and fit to live and work in;
and then look at our part in what is
to follow and our own duty of prepa-
ration. For we must be prepared
both in resources and in policy.
Must Be a Just Peace.
There must be a just and settled
peace, and we here in America must
contribute the full force of our en-
thusiasm and of our authority as ma
tion to the organization of that peace
upon world-wiwde foundations that
cannot easily be shaken. No nation
should be forced to take sides in any
quarrel in which its own honor and
integrity and the fortunes of its own
people are not involved; but no ma
ton can any longer remain neutral
as against any wilful disturbance of
the peace of the world. The effects
of war can no longer be confined to