Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-28

ecution of the war. Is it not a more diff
ficult and a more desirable thing that ali
Americans should put partisan feeling
aside and draw together for the sue
cessful prosecution of peace? covet that
distinction for America and I believe that
America is going to enjoy that distinc-
ton.
Tribute to Mann
only the other day the leader Of the
Republican party in the House OF Repre-
sentatives delivered a speech that showed
he was ready. and I take it for granted
that the men behind him were ready. to
forget party lines in order that all men
may act with common mind and i'm
pulse for the service Of the country. And
I want. upon this first public occasion,
to pay my tributes Of respect and obi
cation to him.
II find it hard indeed to approach this
subject without deep emotion. gentlemen.
because, when we speak of America and
the things that are to be conserved In
her, does it not call a wonderful picture
into your mind? America Is young still
she is not even in the heyday Of her de-
velopment and power. Think Of the great
treasure of youth and energy and ideal
purpose still to be drawn from the deep
sources from which this nation has al
ways drawn its light
Think Of the service which those
forces can and must render to the rest
of the world. Think Of the position into
which America has been drawn, almost
in spite of herself, by the circumstances
of the present day. She alone is free to
help find things wherever they show
themselves in the world. And she Is
forced. also. whether she will or no. in
the decades Immediately ahead of us. to
furnish the world with its chief economic
guidance and assistance.
Making Of Money
"It is very fine to remember what
ideals will be back Of that assistance.
Economic assistance in itself is not ne
cessarily handsome. 1t is legitimate
thing to make money; but, it is not an
ideal thing to make money Money
brings with 1t power, which may be
we'll or i'll employed. And it should
be the pride Of America also to employ
her money to the highest purpose. And.
yet If we are drawn into the maelstrom
that now surges across the water and
swirls even in the western region Of the
world we shall not be permitted to keep
a free hand to do the high things that
we intend to do. And it is necessary
that we should examine ourselves and
so order that we can make it certain
that the tasks imposed upon US will
be performed and we'll performed.
Best Brains in the World
America has been reluctant to match
her wits with the rest Of the world.
When I face a body Of men like this
1t is almost incredible to remember that
only yesterday they were afraid to put
their wits into free competition with
the world The best brains in the world
afraid to match brains with the rest Of
the world! We have preferred to be
provincial. We have preferred to stand
behind protecting devices. And now, we
are thrust out to do, on a scale never
dreamed Of in recent generations in
America, the business of the world.
I'VE can no longer be provincial ma
ton.
speak the truth. that the question of
preparation for national defense is
question Of war or Of peace.
IF there is one passion more deep
seated in the hearts of our fellow
countrymen than another, it is the
passion for peace. No nation In the
world ever more instinctively turned
away from the thought of war than
this nation to which we belong. Part
ly because, in the plentitude of its
power, in the unrestricted area Of it's
opportunities, it has found nothing to
covet in the possessions and power of
other nations.
No Desire for Territory
There is no spirit of aggrandize-
ment in America. There is no desire
on the part of any thoughtful and con-
scientious American man to. take one
foot Of territory from any nation in
the world. And l myself share to. the
bottom of my heart that profound Yove
for peace. l have sought to maintain
peace against every great and some
times very unfair odds and l am
ready, at any time, to use every pow
err that Is in me to prevent such
catastrophe as war coming upon this
country.
$50 that 1t is not permissible for
any man to say with anxiety that the
defense of the nation has the least
tinge in it of desire for power which
can be used to bring on war. But,
gentlemen, there is something that the
people love better than they
love peace. They love the principls
upon which their political life is
founded. They are ready at any time
to fight for the vindication of their
character and of their honor They
will at no TIME seek a contest, but
they will at no time cravenly avoid it.
Because if there is one thing that the
country ought to fight for and that
every nation ought to fight for. 1t is
the integrity of it's own convictions.
1--WE cannot surrender our convictions.
I would rather surrender territory than
those ideals which are the staff
of life for the soul itself. And because
we hold certain ideals we have thought
it was right we should hold them for
others as we'll as for ourselves. Ameri-
can has more than once given evidence
of the generosity and disinterestedness
of its love Of liberty 1t has been will
ing to fight for the liberty Of others as
well as for its own liberty. The world