Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1916-03-02
The Presidents Fire Letter to
Senator Stone.

Senator Stone.
Congress- came near losing its head
last week and for a time seemed
bent upon passing a resolution warn:
ing our people against taking passage
on armed merchantmen of any of the
belligerent powers. The Presldtn wa2
strongly opposed to such action and
insisted that Congress should not in
terfere at time when the State De
partment and the German govern
ment were engaged in an effort to
come to an agreement. Pending the
excitement in the Senate and the eff
forts of administration. Senators. to
prevent the introduction of such a
resolution, Senator Stone, Of Mis-
souri,, chairman of the Foreign, At
fairs Committee, sent a letter to the
President to which Mr.. Wilson sent
the following reply: ~
February 24th, I'LL o.
My Dear Senator:
II very warmly appreciate your
kind and frank letter of today and
feel that it, calls for an equally frank
reply.
"You are right in assuming that l
shall do everything in my power 10
keep the United States out of war. !
think the country will feel no uneasl-
ness about my course in that respect:
Through many anxious months 1
have striven for that object, AMIDST
difficulties more manifold than can
have beer apparent upon the surface;
and so far have succeeded. do not
doubt that I shall continue to sue
coed. The course which the central
European powers have announced
their intention of following in the
future in; regard to undersea war
fare seems for the. moment to threat
en- insuperable obstacles, but It's ap-
parent meaning is so manlfestly IN
consistent with explicit assurances
recently given us by those powers
with regard to their treatment Oh
vessels ON the hlsh seas
that must believe that explanations
will presently ensue which will put
different aspect upon it. We have mad
no reason to question their good faith
or their fidelity to their promises III
the past, and / for one feel contdcnt
for the present and future.
But in any event our duty is clear.
No nation, no g roup of nations, has
the right while war is in progress to
alter or disregard the principles
which all nations have agreed upon
in mitigation OF the horrors and SUI
feriags OF war and if the clear rights
of American citizens should ever I'M
happily lie abridged Or denied ny any
such action, we should, it seems to
ne. have in honor no choice as TO
what our own course should be.
For my own part cannot consent
to am Arrangement Of the rights or
American citizens in any respect. Inc
honor ard self respect OF the nation
S involved. We covet peace, and shall
preserve it at any cost, but the loss
Of honor. To forbid our people to
exercise their rights for fear We
might be called upon to Vindlcate
them would be deep humiliation IN
deed. 1t would be a deliberate abdl-
cation of our hitherto unchallenged
ciish. .spokesmen even amidst 81 q
turmoil Of war for the law and the
right. 1t would make everything
his government has attempted and
everything that it has achieved dur
ing this terrible struggle OF nations
and futile.
1T is important to reflect that IL
in this instance we allowed eXpedlen-
CIV to take the place of principle the
iocr would inevitably be open to still
further concessions. Once accept
single abatement Of rights and many
other humiliations would certainly
follow and the whole fine fabric Of IN
law might crumble under
our hands piece by piece. What we
are contcnding for in this matter IS
Of the very essence Of the things that
have made America sovereign ma
ton. She cannot yield them without
conceding her own impotencS as a
nation and making rertual surrender
of her independent position among
The nations of the world.
Il an speaking my, dear sir. III
deep solemnity. without heat. with
clear consciousness OF the high re-
sDonsibilit;es of my office and as your
sincere ard devoted friend. II we
should unhappily differ. we shall dit
fer as friends: but where issues so
momentous as these are involved we
must, just because we are friends.
sneak our minds without reservation.
BEAUTIFULLY yours.
"WOODROW WILSON.