Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-01
Liberty, Justice and Humanity

a T this time OF world stress and at this
\ critical moment for America particu-
larly. President Wilson's declaration of faith.
made before the Associated Advertising Clubs
OF the World, comes as reinsurance Of prin-
ciples on which the welfare of this country
and all the nations must be based Strength
was lent to his words and confidence to the
absolute sincerity of his expressions by the
circumstances under which they were de-
livered.
Constant demands on his time and thought
had been made by the necessity for close
scrutiny of the Mexican situation. SO he had
mad no opportunity to prepare speech He
was compelled to voice the thoughts upper
most in his mind, and, though he made no
specific reference to Mexico, it is evident that
our dealings with that disturbed republic
formed the subject of hissconstant thoughts
Al one point he said:
! believe eIe that America the country we
ready in every point of policy and of
action to vindicate at hatever the
principles of liberty. of Justice and Of
humanity to which have been de-
voted from the first.
And 1t is those principles that have guided
him throughout the troubled period of the
last two years. Liberty has been insisted on
in all his negotiations with the central
powers, liberty to use the highway of the
sea; and in his demands on the allies no.
tally As to the obstruction of the mails that
same principle has been invoked. Justice.
he has worked for both in foreign and do
mestic affairs, and he has steadfastly in
sisted on Justice toward this country Above
all humanity and its dictates have guided his
course and have constituted the foundation
of his policies.
With regard TO Mexico, liberty justice and
humanity have stood first in his mind He
has firmly asserted his unbendng opposition
to any plan OF territorial aggrandizement.
He realizes that there would be little ma
terial difficulty in anneXng Northern Mexico
as certain element of the press urges but
he also realizes that war of conquest for
gain would he abhorrent to the genius OF
liberty. and he has stood firm
Justice dema nded the capture and punish
ment of Villa and the other bandits who have
tcrrorized the border. and in response to that
demand he dspat ched troops into Mexico
Justice still demands that the troops remain
in Mexico. and they will. Justice called for
the release OF the prisoners at chihuahua
The President voiced its requirement and
CarranZa Yielded
Humanity, no less than national dignity
compels the preservation of the lives and
property OF our citizens. On the Mexican
border they are endangered every day The
President has taken the only steps possible
10 safeguard them. And not one step be-
yond does he intend to so. That safety will
not be insured by the punishment OF a few
murderers who have already crossed back
over the border, leaving death and deyasta-
ton behind, but will be secured only when
Mexican authority shall have established its
wilingness--and ability-to prevent re-
currence of such crimes against humanity
When that is accomplished, our troops will
he withdrawn, and not before
In the face of SANDER, invective partisan
criticism and ignorant raillery, urged by
pacifsts to policy of nonresistance and by
Jingoes and politicians TO rash intervention
he has pursued a calm and lofty course in
spired only by his three ideas-liberty JUS
tce and humanity