The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-01-22


racial strains. We are connected so
intimately by ties of blood and sym.
pathy with all the nations of the old
world that public opinion would make
a war with any of the great powers
practically impossible. These inter-
national bonds are pledge of con-
tinued friendship and good will.
(c) The terrible war now in pro-
gress is eXhausting the strength of
the cOmbatants. The inconceivable
wreckage and waste of life. treasure,
industry, commerce and intellectual
and moral force are reducing all Of
the great European powers to a CON
dition from which they cannot soon
recover This is fact and not a SUP
position. Japan. the only other power
mentioned as a possible antagonist,
has shown consistent desire to main
tain friendly relations with our coun-
try. and is already heavily burdened
by taxes and an overwhelming war
debt.
2. A policy of military expansion
vi a anu SIdIc Will COiIlIIllJ IHb
United States to militarism.
True democracy and militarism are
contradictory. The one must AnetroM
the other.
1t is almost impossible to arrest
mllitaristic policy when once it is
laurc ned. Fear is added to fear, false
locals flourish, international friend
ship changes to suspicion. special in
terests warp the public mind.
The true greatness of the United
States in international affairs has not
rested upon naval and military force,
but upon candor. and good will. a high
sense of national honor and funda-
mental justice.
). The great war is abundant proof
that great armaments are not a pro-
lection against attack. In the hands
of miiitarlstic administration they
may be fertile cause of war. They
are a constant menace on the one
hand and an Invitation to aggression
on the other They fill the popular
imagination, so that if differences
arise between nations the people cry
out for war, and thus force becomes
the basis Of settlement rather than
justice and equity.
The genius of the United States has
been for arbitration and the judicial
settlement of international disputes.
These are few of many reasons
against committing the United States
to a military policy at this time of
popular unrest.
We believe it is a grave moment in
the history of our country, and we APP
peal to you who bear the heavy bur
den of responsibility, to meet the
crisis in the spirit of Christian pat
riotiSm. Your action in this Congress
may bind the shackles of the old
world militarism upon our continent,
or free it for true world leadership in
the cause of enduring liberty based on
justice, brotherhood and peace.
The destinies of the other American
Republics are intimately connected
with those of the United States. They
are anXiously awaiting your action. A
military policy adopted by the United
States will create suspicion among
them, and they will begin to arm
against US. Thus fear will beget fear.
and suspicion, suspicion.
Instead. therefore, of acting at once
and hastily on the question of "pra-
paredness' against dangers probably
imaginary, and certainly remote in
time, we strongly urge upon this Ad-
mlnistration, and upon the Congress
now assembled. the calling at once by
the United States of a great confer
ence of all the American Republics for
solemn council that may guarantee
perpetual peace and community of in
terest in this hemisphere.