The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-15

quickly, declS1Vely, and said lnat they
stood, as every American should stand,
back of the president of the United
States. When the president sent his
ultimatum to Germany he was criti-
cized by two elements-one that he
was seeking to force the country into
war and the other was that he was too
cowardly to engage in the conflict
There are happily two kinds of cour-
age; the courage of the man who is
willing to undertake the danger him
self and the courage of the man that
sends others to the conflict. The
courage of the man who wishes him
self to enter the conflict may be rash,
for he alone is to suffer, but the cour-
age to take a nation into war. where
millions of lives may be sacrificed, is
another kind of courage. 1t is cour-
age that must be able to stand bitter
abuse; a courage that moves slowly,
acts coolly, and strikes no blow as
long as diplomacy may be employed,
honor of the country upheld, the flag
respected. and lives of Americans pro-
tected. Woodrow Wilson has both
kinds of courage-the courage of con-.
! flict and the courage to act coolly and
sensibly when he is dealing with the
lives of others-the fate of a nation.
1t was no time for divided counsel
The interference of congress would
have created chaos in this country,
contempt for our honor and our coun-
try abroad, and would have destroyed
the power of America to either main
tain its honor or protect the rights of
the neutrals of the world.
Lincoln and Wilson.
The Mexican situation was inherited
| by the Democratic party from the ad-
ministration of President Taft 1t
had refused recognition of Huerta,
and the same policy was followed
along these lines by President Will
son, because he believed with Presi
dent Taft that assa ssination should not
be rewarded with the presidency of
the Republic of Mexico. The presi
dent has dealt with the Mexican stu
alton, and his policy has been the.
same that of Abraham Lincoln un-
der like conditions more than half a
century ago. Speaking through his
great secretary of state, Mr.. Lincoln
said:
For few years past the condition of
Mexico has been unsettled to raise
the question on both sides of the Atlantic
whether the time has not come when some
foreign power ought, in the interest of
society generally, to intervene-to estab
lish a protectorate or some other form of
government in that country and guarantee
/ its continuance there. You will not fail to
assure the government of Mexico that the
! president neither has, nor have,
any sympathy with such designs in what
ever quarter they may arise whatever
character they may take on. The president
never for a moment doubts that the Re
publican system is to pass safely through
/ all oFNealS ana prove permanent success
! on our own country and so be recon-
mended to adoption by all other nations.
But he thinks also that the system every
where has to make its way painfully
through difficulties and embarrassments
which result from the action of antago-
mer times and very different institutions
! The president is hopeful of the ultimate
triumph of this system over all obstacles
| as well in regard to Mexico as in regard
| to every other American state: but he feels
I that those states are nevertheless justly
1nff for frrlor. CrRfso
generous ympathies from the government
and people of the United States than they
The president trusts that your mission,
manifesting these sentiments. will reassure
the government of Mexico of his best dis
position to favor their commerce and their
internal improvements find the archives
here full OF complaints against the Mexican
government for violation of contracts. and
! spoliation and cruelties practiced against
American citizens. 1t is not the presidents
intention to send forward such claims at
the present moment. He willingly defers
| the performance of a duty, which at any
incoming administration in Mexico shall
have had time, if possible, to cement its
( authority.
When American soil was invaded
the president quickly ordered the
United States troops into Mexico upon
their punitive expedition. They are
there now, and I have no doubt will
| remain as long as there is a posi- bill
ity of the capture and punishment OF
the nurderers who invaded American
soil or are needed for the protection
of American lives along the border.
When the Republican platform at Chi
caSo denounced the Mexican policy of
! Woodrow Wilson. it denounced at the
same time the similar Mexican policy
of Abraham Lincoln-the one they
have heretofore called the patron
saint of the Republican party When
the Lincoln administration came into
power, Mexico had been in turmoil for
years. The government of Juarez was
in power. but was unable to enforce
order. Not only had American prop
erty been destroyed. but American
lives had been lost and a member of
the American legation had been Inur-
dered- 1t is perfectly easy thing
for the president of the United States