Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-08-24

By President woodrow wilson.

i No one can doubt that the immediate
/ future OF the world will be crowded
with quick changes. Every true lover
OF Amerina must wish the UpIed
States to play part in those changes
which viii be worthy her Ideals and
| her character. Almost alone among
the great nations Of the world she will
be unhampered In meeting great op.
portunity.
In the first place, her resources are
unimpaired. Not only has the war and
all its attendant circumstances made
no hurtful drain upon her men or her
materials; it has even enhanced her
skill and added TO her resources, be-
cause of the very circumstances of her
situation, cut off from her usual trade
with many parts OF the world and call
ed upon to supply what she never sup
piled before. to the nations engaged
in the great struggle not only, but all
so to her own people. She has deyei-
oped industries that she had before
neglected, has found new uses for her
material and new material TO use.
She has thus been enabled to realize
what she can do more fully than ever
before, and TO do 1t better than she
ever did before. No other nation VIII
stand quite so ready as she to serve
the world in every work Of peace and
development.
In the second place. she will probah-
ly OF necessity be the chief reliance of
the rest Of the world in the field of H.
nance. Probably the chief part IN
supplying the means necessary for the
great reconstruction which will have
to follow the war will fall to her.
When the war began America was,
striking the large balances, a debtor
nation When the war closes, she
will be creditor of all the world.
Her financiers will have II within their
choice 10 play part they have never
PLAYED before in the economic develop-
ment of other nations and OF distant
regions OF the earth. It Is % be hoped
that they will have the vision TO accept
the opportunity with farsightcd cour-
aye and quick adaptation to the new
conditions.
In the third place, thick IL Is evil
dent that the United States will under
stand herself better than she ever did
before. The war and all It's attendant
circumstances have cried her wide
awake to both the dangers Of her life
and Its enormous possibilities and adj
yantages. There have been many
things 10 disturb us during these two
years OF long drawn-out tragedy,
We had not realized before that there
we're certain elements In our citizenship
which had rot in their heart Of hearts
devoted themselves In full loyalty and
allegiance to the country OF their adop-
tion. A new problem OF disunion,
more subtle. more difficult 10 meet
with direct checkmate and correction
than the old problem which culmiuat-
ed In the Civil War, has engaged and
disturbed our thought, and we have
realized that we must devote n new
energy and ardor 10 binding together
the forces which viii produce new
union, q union Of spirits triumphant
over every alien force and sympathy.
But this very discovery, this very
anxiety. has quickened the pulse OF
every loyal and devoted American
throughout the length and breadth Of
the land, whether his birthplace was
on this side of the water Or ON the
other. A new and wholesome force
has arisen amongst us OF thoughtful,
watchful, energetic patriotism, and
venture 10 think that the nation "
better prepared on that account 70 face
the problems OF O new day IN which u
will marshal all It's energies and as
snmbic all lis resources to enable thc
country we love 10 play The par; Il
should seek to play In tie cuunseIs
and actions OF the great world,
Fortunately, America can plas her
part Ia the days 10 como uHsellshly
and impartialiy, because she eovets
nothing that other nations have unless
Il be their skill and knowledge IN some
of the undertakings Of science and in
dnstry, and these things she canobtain,
not BY conquest 81 force, but by the
mere careful use Of the extraordinary
capacity OF her people. She can pro
dnce like skill and knowledge for her.
self That Is one Of the things these
days Of struggle and interrupted trade
have taught her. She has nothing
that she wishes 10 take away from the
other nations OF the world, aud she Is
better prepared than she ever was be-
fore TO make rich contribution "a the
development. Of other nations
The opportunity Is at hand, there
fore, for which she has waited. Her
principles are suited 10 the freedom OF
mankind and the peace OF the world.
soilt van iAbW tAfihiliiA hl1dN ftihhi"
pies In action with new leadership,
new opportunity 70 exhibit them up
on great scale. She can now offord
an example Of energy in justice as we'll
as In enterprize, In fair and honorable
competition, IN thoughtful adaptation
OF her resources to the needs Of the
world, which may help to inaugurate a
new era in the intercourse and friendly
intcrdependence OF the peoples OF the
world.
That 3he win rise to this great OPP
portunity no man who knows her can
doubt. II should be the pride and
thoughtful purpose OF every American
50 10 equip himself with knowledge
and so TO purge his own heart that be
may play a suitable part In this rc-
birth Of Americanism.
WOODROW WILSON
s