The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-14


justice by Interpreted ton gave it vi
tality and power
THE president of the United States
stands today where stood the men
who made America and who saved
America He stands where John
Adams stood, when he told King
George that America was the land
he loved and that peace was her
grandeur and her welfare. He stands
where General Grant stood when he
said there never was war that could
not have been settled better some
other WY, and he has shown his
willingness to try the ways of peace
before he seeks the paths of war. He
stands where George Washington
stood when he prayed that this coun-
try would never unSheath the sword
except in self-defense so long as jus
tice and our essential rights could
be preserved without it.
For vain glory or for selfish pur
pose. others may cry up a policy of
blood and iron, but the president of
the United States has acted on the
belief that the leader of nation who
plunges his people into an unneces-
sary wa. like Pontius PLATE vainly
washes his hands of innocent blood
while the earth quakes and the heav-
ems are darkened and thousands give
up the ghost
Takes Shot at G. o. p.
Speaking of the opposition to the
presidents peace policy, the speaker
continued:
HBy opposing what we stand for to-
day, the Republican party opposes
what Hamilton stood for a century
ago. The founder of the Republican
party and the founder of the Demo-
catic party, placing their country's
| happiness above every other consider
alton. forgot partisanship and made
American neutrality a national creed.
| We who follow Jefferson stand where
Jefferson stood, but we look in vain
for sign from the present leaders of
the Republican party to show that
| they follow where Hamilton led.
| Where Hamilton counseled modera-
ton they denounce it. Where HamiI-
ton thought only of country they think
| only of self. Where Hamilton placed
patriotism above partisanship, they
placed partisanship above patriotism.
How then do they dare to speak for
| the great body of American citizens
who form the rank and file of the Re-
lieve that their Republicanism is a
better Republicanism than Hamil-
tons. their Americanism purer
Americanism than that of Washing
ton?
IF Washington was right, if JEFF
ferson was right. if Hamilton was
right. if Lincoln was right, then the
president of the United States is right
today; if the Republican leaders are
right then Lincoln was wrong and
Jefferson was wrong and Hamilton
was wrong and Washington was
wrong"
Justifies Policy of Neutrality.
The justification of our policy Of
neutrality is expressed by Mr.. Glynn
| in these words:
''Rcfore this declaration every war
was a worid-war; since this declara-
ton nearly every war has been a local
war. Before this declaration war wa
a Whirlpool, ever-increasing in area
and in its whirl dragging down the ma
tions of the earth; since this declare
ton war has become a sea of trouble
upon which nations embark onIy from
self-will, from self-interest or the ne
cessity of geographical position. of
financial obligation or political al
lance.
Neutrality is the policy which has
Kept US at peace while Europe mas
been driving the nails of war through
the hands and feet of a crucified hu-
mainly.
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 a contented
land. From every whirling spindle in
America, 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
peaceful home goes up a song of
praise, a paean of Thanksgiving to
hymn a nations tribute, to the states
manship that has brought these things
to pass"
The issue raised by Democracy's
opponents 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, a Spanish gunboat
seized the vessel 'Virginius' flying the
American flag and a Spanish COM
mandant in cold blood shot the cap
tain of the 'Virginius,' thirty-six of the
crew and sixteen of the passengers.
Not as Lincoln Did.
But we didn't go to war. Grant
settled our troubles by negotiation
just the president of the United
States is trying to do today.
When Harrison was president the