Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-14

a
ton nearly every war has been local
war. Before this declaration war was
whirlpool, ever-increasing in area
and in its whirl dragging down the ma
lions Of the earth; since this declara-
ton war has become sea of trouble
upon which nations embark only from
self-will, from self-interest or the
necessity of geographical position, of
financial obligation or political ALI
anCe.
Neutrality is the policy which has
kept US at peace while Europe has been
driving the nails of war through the
hands and feet of crucifled human
ity.
THE praises of this policy are not
written in the ruins of American
homes. not in the wreck of American
industries, not in the mourning of
American families: they are found in
the myriad evidences of prosperity and
plenty that make this contented land.
From every whirling spindle in Ameri-
ca, from every factory wheel that
turns, from every growing thing that
breathes its prayer of plenty to the
skies, from every quiet school. from
every crowded mart, from every peace
full home, goes up a song of praise, a
paean of Thanksgiving to hymn a ma
tons tribute to the craftsmanship that
has brought these things to pass"
Cites History.
The issue raised By democracy's OPP
ponents of the vigor with which our
neutrality has been enforced is dealt
with by the records of history:
When Grant was president, during
the war between Spain and the Span
ish West Indies. Spanish gunboat
seized the vessel 'Virginus' flying the
American flag and Spanish comman-
dant in cold blood shot the captain of
the 'Virginus,' Sc of the crew and 16
of the passengers.
But we didn't go to war. Grant set
tied our troubles by negotiation just
as the president of the United States
is trying to do today.
When Harrison was president the
people of Chilli conceived a violent dis
like to the United States for our in
slstence upon neutrality during the
CHILEAN revolution. When this feeling
was at its height one junior officer
from the United States warship Balti-
more was killed outright in the streets
of Valparaiso and Is of our sailors
wounded, of whom one afterwards died
But we didn't go to war Harrison
settled our troubles by negotiation
just as the president of the United
States is trying to do today.
When Lincoln was president this
country's rights were violated on every
side. England. Russia, France and
Spain were guilty of such fragrant vio-
lations that Secretary of State Seward
advanced a plan to go to war with all
of them at one and the same time.
But We didn't go to war. Lincoln
settled our troubles by negotiation just
as the president is trying to do today
When Pierce was president the
British minister in this country and
three of his counsel violated our neu-
trality during the Crimean war. We
| gave these representatives of Great
Britain their passports and sent them
| home.
| But we didn't go to war. Pierce
settled our troubles by negotiation
just as the president Of the United
! States IS trying to do today.
When Van Buren, was president a
detachment Of Canadian militia, dur
ing the internal troubles in Canada
boarded the U. S. ship Carolina in the
American waters of Niagara river
killed an American member of the
crew, fired the ship and sent her adrift
over Niagara Falls.
But We didn't go to war. Van
Buren, settled our troubles by negotia-
ton just as the president of the United
States is trying to do today.
Avoided War by Negotiations.
When Jefferson was president Eng
land seized hundreds of our ships and
| Napoleon hundreds more.
When Adams was president France
| preyed upon our commerce. She eX-
tended her seizure, searches and con-
nscatlonS to the very waters of the
! United States themselves until she had
piled up in our state department
charges of over $500 violations of
neutrality's law
But we didn't go to war. Adams
settled our troubles by negotiation
| Just as the president of the United
States is trying to do today.
When Washington was president
and. neutrality first declared, war
convulsed Europe our ships dared not
TO put out to sea, commerce was par
, alyzed and business depressed. Amer
lean passengers and American crews
were thrown into prison and deprived
OF legal rights.
But we didn't go to war Washing
ton settled our troubles by negotiation
just as the president of the United
States is trying to do today"
In concluding this issue Mr.. Glynn
asks:
DO the critics of the present ad-
mlnlstraton believe that Lincoln
should have risked nationa. disaster
by using the sword rather than the
pen IN pressing the Alabama claims ?
Are they willing to brand Grant as a
coward because he kept US at peace
with SPAIN"
Presidents Methods Sanctioned.
In answer to those who say that
President Wilson's policy does not
satisfy anyone Mr.. Glynn replies: He
means that it does not satisfy those
who would map out a new and un-
tried course for this nation to pursue,
but they forget it does satisfy those
who believe the United States should
live up to the principles it has pro-
fessed for a century and more.
Chief Justice Waite of the United
States supreme court says this policy
has given America the greatest diplo-
matte victory of the past generation.
Maximlllan Harden. Germanys noted
editor saws that narar o-oz