The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-07-07

i iNoiNlSht w iioOil Jdo iiSfSl
wanted war. In the days when
his opponents attacked him and
tried to goad him into the use of
the armed forces of the United
States, he remained steadfast to
his determination that the blood
of young American soldiers should
never be shed except as the last
recourse in the effort 10 uphold
the honor of the nation.
Once, when even graver even
Qualities were threatened, the pa
tience of President Wilson's
craftsmanship was rewarded by
diplomatic victory that made the
shedding of blood unnecessary.
1t was the Presidents previous
moderation that gave such force
to the ominous ultimatum which
brought full concession to the
rights of America and humanity.
No President in the history of
the United States has ever placed
the cause of the people of the
United States upon a niger
plane. No president has ever
struggled more valiantly to pre-
serve peace with honor. His crit
les have proved the case for Pres
ident Wilson. Their unanimous
approval Of his present course
has not dulled the edge of his de-
sire for honorable peace.
The immovability of the Presi-
dent in the face of selfish and
partisan criticism, coming from
those who thought more of per-
sonal advantage than of the well
fare of the nation. has been the
best security of the American peo-
pie throughout the time the world
has been darkened by war
clouds.
II the sword q Righteousness
must now be unsheathed, the
American people know that it is
because peaceful means have
been exhausted. If the sword is
raised to strike, it is because the
de facto government of Mexico re-
fuses to respect the rights of
America.
No President has ever tried so
1ard to interpret the real spirit of
America. Mr.. Wilson has said
hat he would rather know what
he men and women, gathered
around their own fireside, are
saying than to listen to the ora
ions of the self-appointed.
In his handling of the Mexican
President Wilson has
,een guided by the single impulse
o do what the American people
would have him do-to exhaust
III the peaceful means at his dis
,osal to protect the lives and
of Americans, and, fail
ny in that, to uphold the honor
nd dignity of the nation by the
Ise of its armed forces.
The note written by the State
to General Carranza
n response to his threat to attack
he American troops presented
he complete case of the American
against Mexico. AS +
\ the European situation, when
he ultimatum with its ominous
rought full contestants, it
marked the end of President
Wilson's patience.
The lives of the American SOL
iers in Mexico, oldiers who were
ent there to protect the border
rom the raids of bandits, bent on
lurdering Americans, had been /.
threatened.
In the might of righteousness
he sword of America was then
aised to strike, and in the strug-
lie that threatens, the nation en-
ers upon IFS task with clean /
nd fearless heart.
Behind the President, who has :
D truly represented the charitable :
oirit of the American people, be- :
ind the President now is his !
rim determination to use the full !
,ilitary and naval strength of the :
alton in support of The American .
oops in Mexico, stands the .
lightly host of patriotic Amerl- =
ans, united, valiant and conscious .
the faithfulness of their leader I
the ideals of real Americanism.