The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-07-04
MEXICO

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, he remained stead
fast to his determination that the blood
OF young American soldiers should
never be shed except as the last re-
course in the effort to uphold the hon
or the nation.
Once, when even graver eventuali-
ties were threatened, the patience of
President Wilson's statesmanship was
rewarded by diplomatic victory that
made the shedding of blood unneces-
sary. 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 higher plane. No presi-
dent has ever struggled more valiant
ly to preserve peace with honor. His
critics have proved the case for Presi-
dent Wilson. Their unanimous approv-
al of his present course has not dulled
the edge of his desire for honorable
peace.
The immovability of the president
in the face of selfish and partisan crit
icism, coming from those who thought
more of personal advantage than of the
welfare of the nation, mas been the best
security of the American people
throughout the time the world has
been darkened by war clouds.
II the sword of righteousness must
now be unsheathed, the American peo'
pie know that 1t Is because peaceful
means have been exhausted. If the
sword is raised to strike, it Is because
the head of the de facto government
of Mexico refuses to respect the rights
OF America.
No president has ever tried 80 hare
TO interpret the real spirit of America
Mr.. Wilson has said that he woult
rather know what the men and VIZ
men, gathered around their own fire
side, are saying than to listen to th'
orations of the self-appointed.
In his handling of the Mexican prob
lem, President Wilson has been guild
ed by the single impulse to do wha
the American people would have hin
do-to exhaust all the peaceful meani
at his disposal to protect the lives anC
property of Americans, and, failing II
that, to uphold the honor and dignity
Of the nation by the use of it's armed
forces
The note written by the state de
partment to General Carranza In re
Bponse to his threat to attack tn,
American troops presented the com
plete case of the American government
against Mexico AS In the European
situation, when the ultimatum with It
0minous note brought fun concessions
IL marked the end of President WI
sons patience.
The lives OF the American soldier
IA Mexico, soldiers who were sent ther
to protect the border from the raid
OF bandits, bent on numbering Amer
cans, had been threatened.
In the might of righteousness, tn
sword of America was then raised t
strike. and In the struggle that threa
ems. the nation enters upon It's tas
with clean and fearless heart,
Behind the president. who has 8
truly represented the charitable spiri
of the American people, behind tn
president now In his grim determine
tion To use the full military and navs
strength OF the nation in support q
the American troops In Mexico, stan
the mighty host Of patriotic Americana
united. valiant and conscious OF tn
faithfulness of their leader to tn
ideals OF real Americanism.