Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1916-03-18

children, was accepted the world over
az presenting the attitude Of the Amer.
lean government toward the protection
citizens In the exercise OF their just
rights, and throughout the world the
phrase TOO proud to fight" became a
byword Of derision and contempt for
the government OF the United States.
Later. I'm another theater Of wharf.-the
Med1terranean-Aus and perhaps
Turkey also. resumed the practice.
destroyed, and more Americans were
killed. Why should they not resume
tho practice7 They had learned to be-
lieve that, no matter how shocked the
American government might be. its
resolution would expend itself In
words. They had learned to believe
that It was safe to kill Americans, and
the world believed with them.
Shaking Fist and Finger.
No man should draw a pistol who
dares not shoot. The government that
shakes its fist first and Its finger after
ward falls into contempt. Our diplo
macy has lost its authority and intlu-
ence because we have been brave in
words and irresolute in action. Men
may say that the words Of our dipl"
madc notes were justified; men ma.
say that our inaction was justified. BIZ
no man can say that both were wise
and creditable
have said that this government lost
tho moral forces Of the world by not
truly Interpreting the spirit Of the
American democracy.
The American democracy stands for
something more than beef and cotton
and grain and manufactures; stands
for something that cannot be measured
By rates Of exchange and does not rise
or fall with the balance Of trade. The
American people, informed by their
own experience that is confirmed by
their observation Of International life,
have come to see that the independence
Of nations, the liberty of their peoples.
Justice and humanity cannot be main
tanned upon the complaisance. the good
nature, the kindly feeling Of the strong
toward the weak; that real independ-
ence, real liberty, cannot rest upon suf-
ferance; that peace and liberty can be
preserved only by the authority and
observance Of rules Of national con-
duct founded upon the principles Of
justice and humanity; only by the es-
adjustment Of law among nations, re-
sponsive to the enlightened public opin-
Ion Of mankind. To them liberty
means not liberty for themselves alone,
but for all who are oppressed. Justice
means not justice for themselves
alone, but shield for all who are
weak against the aggression Of the
strong.
To this people the invasion of Bel.
GUM brought a shock of amazement
and horror. If the public opinion Of the
world was to remain silent upon that.
neutral upon that, then all talk about
peace and justice and International law
and the rights Of man, the progress Of
humanity and the spread Of liberty is
Idle patter, mere weak sentimentality;
then opinion is poweress and brute
force rules and will rule the world. II
no difference Is recognized between
right and wrong then there are no
moral standards. There come times in
tho lives Of nations as Of men when to
treat wrong as If 1t were right Is trea-
son to the right.
The Wrong Dono to Belgium.
The American people were entitled
not merely to feel, but to speak con-
corning the wrong done to Belgium.
1t was not like interference in the in
ternal affairs Of Mexico or any other
nation, for this was an international
wrong. The law protecting Belgium
which was violated was our law and
the law Of every other civilized coun-
try. That law was the protection Of
our peace and security. 1t was our
safeguard against the necessity Of
maintaining great ornaments and
wasting our substance In continual
readiness for war. Moreover, that la w
was written into a solemn and formal
convention, signed and ratified by Ger
many and Belgium and France and the
United States In which those other
countries agreed with US that the law
should be observed.
There was no question here Of inter
fering In the quarrels Of Europe. We
had right to be neutral, and we we're
neutral as to the quarrel between Ger