West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-08-03
N ExIcO

President Wilson has never 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. be
remained steadfast 10 his determination
that the blood OF Young American soldiers
should never be shed except as the last
recourse in the effort to uphold the honor
OF the nation.
Once, when even graver eventualities
were threatened, the patience of Presi.
dent Wilson's craftsmanship was re-
warded 10y diplomatic victory that made
the shedding OF blood unnecessary. 1t
was the Presidents previous moderation
that gave such force TO the ominous ulti-
matum which brought full concession 10
the rights OF America and humanity.
No President in the history OF the Uni
ted States has ever placed the cause of
the people OF the United States upon
higher plane. No President has ever
struggled more valiantly to preserve peace
with honor. His critics has proved the
case for President Wilson. Their unani-
nous approval of his present course has
not dulled the edge OF his desire for hon
orable peace.
The Immortality of the President in
the face OF selfish and partisan criticism,
coming from those who thought more OF
personal advantage than OF the welfare
OF the nation, has been the best security
of the American people throughout the
time the world has been darkened by
war clouds.
If the sword of righteousness must now
be unsheathed, the American people
know that il is because peaceful means
have been exhausted. II the sword is
raised to strike, it is because the head OF
the dc facto government OF Mexico re-
fuses to respect the rights OF America.
No President has ever tried so hard TO
interpret the real spirit of America. Mr..
Wilson has said that he would rather
know what the men and women, gath
cred around their own Preside, are saying
than to listen to the orations OF the self
appointed.
In his handling Of the Mexican prob
lem, President Wilson has been guided
by the single impulse to do what the
American people would have him do-to
exhaust all the peaceful means at his dis
posal to protect the lives and property OF
Americans, and, failing in that, to up
hold the honor and dignity Of the nation
by Tie use of its armed forces.
The note written by the state depart
| ment to General Carranza in response to
his threat to attack the American troops
presented the complete case OF the Ameri-
can government against Mexico. AS in
the European situation, when the ulti-
| matum with its ominous note brought
full concessions. it marked the end OF
President Wilson's patience.
The lives of the American soldiers in
Mexico, soldiers who were sent there 10
protect the border from the raids OF ban
dts, bent on numbering Americans, had
been threatened.
In the might of righteousness, the
| sword OF America was then raised to
! strike, and in the struggle that threatens,
the nation enters upon its task with a
clean and fearless heart
Behind the President, who has so truly
represented the charitable spirit of the
American people, behind the President
now in his grim determination to use the
full military and naval strength OF
the nation in support of the American
troops in Mexico, stand the mighty host
of patriotic Americans, united, valiant
and conscious of the faithfulness OF their
leader to the ideals OF real Americanism