New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16

.ult from tho usagcs established be
tween civilized nations. the laws 81
humanity and tho requirements OF pub
lic conscience.
"That convention was signed and
ratified bv every power that is not en-
gaqcd I'm the European war, rs well as
bv ourselves There was subsequent
convention that was signed by nearly
all. which contained a provision that az
20 those that did not sign. the conven-
ton from which ! read continued IN
"Thc subsequent convention con
tanned precisely the identical provi-
sioug. so that Germany is bound In CON
science and M law By the existing
treaty between her and US. between her
and Belgium. declaring what the prin-
cinles Of humanity require m the treat
meut Of occupied territory. Those prin-
ciplcs OF humanity have been violated
I'm accordance with the very statement
OF them upon which she and We have
agreed -
is our protection. The rights OF man.
peace and humanity cannot be pre-
served upon influence alone. Law gov
cruing men In the treatment OF the
80 for wears. FOR centuries. the nations
have been building up a code OF law
international law and the enforcement
Of that law. respect for that law. obe-
dicnce to that law. are tho protection
Of our peac able people. OF all weak
and small nations; Of all those that do
not wish to be armed TO the teeth every
moment for their own protection.
we have right 20 have n observed.
and IL is our dUty 90 our children and
TO our country that We shall not remain
silent I'm the face OF open. fragrant. con
temptuous disregard and violation Of
j..
Public Opinion Rules
How can 10 be preserved Not
merely by armies and naylcs. No.
There is but one power on earth that
can preserve the law for the protec-
ton Of the poor the weak and the
humble; there is but one power on
earth that can preserve the law Tor
the maintenance Of civilization and hu-
mauity and that is the power the
mighty power OF the public opinion OF
mankind
Without 10 your leagues 10 enforce
peace your societies for world $
court. your peace conventions. your
peace endowments, arc all powcrless,
because no force moves in this world
unless il ultimately has a public opin-
ion behind IT,
ain Roman times the standard OF con
duct permitted the carrying of or
slaves 10 the mines, permitted the i'm
paling of prisoners, permitted the sack
ing of towns at the time OF the Thirty
Years War outrages almost as bad as
- d 4. .ssfr o .al
Belgium were accorded with the prac-
tice and acquiescence Of the world.
But We thought that We had been
building up new standards of conduct
that the world had grown more COM
passionate and more kindly. And II
has. The public opinion of the world
was establishing, had established.
more humane and Christian standard
of conduct. both in peace and in war.
That standard is beaten down; it is
destroyed; IL is set at naught. And n
we remain silent, il the great ncutra.
peoples Of the world remain silent, the
standard is gone forever APPLAUSE
And, mark this, the new standard,
or, rather the return to the old stand
ard Of barbarism. will not stop with
the poor people Of Belgium IL will be
here. Not perhaps for you and me. but
Cor our children 10 Will be Lere.
How can we maintain the standard
of civilization? Not By silence regard
ing wrong. IN order that the public
opinion of the world should be worth
anything IL must condemn wrong. And
that Is what we are called upon to do
now. have thought 10 should be done
before. but now there can be no doubt.
America cannot choose at will We
have made professions. we have as
sumcd an attitude. we have taken upon
ourselves responsibility. we have de-
clared ourselves the champions OF free
dom. Remember across the half cen
fury the words OF Lincoln. Four score
and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth upon this continent a
new nation conceived in liberty, dedi-
Gated TO the proposition that all men
are created equal.
We have had ideals of world made
better and happier and nobler because
America was a free democracy. We
cannot remain silent now while these
poor Belgians, without fault, are car
ried into slavery, without adjurlng our
past and being false 10 our country.
Responsibility of Americans
cone cannot be an American. with
the history of America, without respOn-
sibility. and that responsibility con-
fronts the people Of our country to-
day TO protect the spirit Of American
freedom.
Let me read the effective words OF
that great hearted and noble pre.ate.
whose figure appealing TO all that IS
best in humanity throughout the world.
fearless of the mighty power that seeks
20 constrain him, viii make the name
Of Cardinal MERCER great IN history.
Great applause Let me read from
his pathetic appeal.
1--WE. the shepherds Of these sheep
who are torn from Us by brutal force,
full of anguish at the thought of the
moral and religious isolation IN which
they are about 10 languish, impotcnt a.
once OF the grief and terror in the ru-
merOus homes shattered or threatened,
appeal TO all souls, believers or unbe-
levers. in Allied countries, IN neu-
tral countries and even in euemied
countries. who have respect for HUI
man dignity. May Divine Providence
deign TO inspire all who have any au-
thority, all who are masters OF speech
or pen. TO rally round our humble Bel
gian flag for the abolition Of European
slavery
Thank heaven our President has as
sumed the leadership Of the free opin-
ION of American democracy and has
spoken for II 10 Germany. All honor
20 him FOR IL, and II IS Tor us 20 say,
as for my part say. that we will stand
Ess D. l. l. Inn "a.