Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-03-22

the states Of America that is worth pre-
serving. It isn't that we are the richest
country in the world: that our commerce
extends, largely, I am sorry to say, in
foreign bottoms to the utmost ends OF
the earth. 1t isn't that we have the
greatest fortunes. the largest commercial
enterprises in the world, and are fast be-
coming the financial center of the world.
It is something better than all that. 1t
isn't because we are leading the world
in scientific achievement. 1t isn't ve-
cause We have the finest country in the
world. the richest in natural resources.
and with the best chances for future de-
velopment. 1t isn't for any of these rea-
sons or for any other reasons of material
greatness that this union must be pre-
served. 1t Is because, as a country, We
represent an ideal.
Our forefathers settled this country
religious beliefs. The Revolution was
fought becouse the colonies would not
stand for taxation without representa-
ton. The protest against slavery brought
about the Civil war. Freedom of wor-
ship. freedom to govern ourselves and
freedom Of the individual. on these three
principles we Americans insist. The Con-
stitution Of the United States of America
gives to our citizens the highest meas
ure of individual freedom compatible with
central government. strong enough to
protect and guarantee that freedom at
home and abroad. A perfect balance IL
aimed at between the individual and the
government, that the individual shall not
grow to be menace to the State: that
the State shall not unduly cramp the in
divdual
Others Follow Our Lead.
We differ from most other countries
in that with us the individual is the
principal thing and that the state ex-
lists tor his good. In most countries,
the opposite is, the case. The state is
the principal thing and the individual
is subordinate. This is the underlying
principle of our system Of government,
and this insistence on the rights Of the
individual is our message to the rest Of
the world. Other countries are follow
ing our lead. France is rapidly catch
ing up with US. England is in line. Her
great colonies are already we'll along
in step with us.
Germany represents the opposite
theory of government. With her the
state is preponderant. The individual
exists entirely for the state. This makes
for a strong government and accounts
for the exceeding efficiency and re-
markable order Of the German nation
And the Germans, as a race, have been
prosperous race and a happy one.
They are brought up to believe that the
state is everything. They are content
to follow the mandates Of the small
ruling class who control the govern
ment. 1t is true that even in Germany
new ideas have crept in: mutterings
have been heard against the Emperor
against,the military. The Socialist par
ty was becoming a power up to the be-
ginning OF the war. but comes the war,
and at once the state takes control and
the IRON heel Of the army is on every
thing in the land. Should Germany pre-
vail IN the war, great effort will be
made to extend the German system.
In our own case, it may be that the
balance between the state and the in
dividual is somewhat out of kilter. It
may be that the government is not now
quite strong enough to guarantee the
protection OF the individual at home
and abroad. Whether or not this is so. /,
m times Of stress, the balance may re-
luire strengthening Of the state at
the expense of the individual. Shall this |
prove to be the case. it is the duty of !
our citizens voluntarily so to curtail
their individual liberty and so to |
strengthen the power Of the govern
nent that the government may be able |
n the best manner possible to look aft
r ana protect the interests Of the peo- /
Die. This only as long as the stress or
possibility of stress shall endure. After
hat, readjustment.
slunderins Mexican Policy.
There was time and please God
here will be time again when it
meant something in the world to be an
American citizen. Our Mexican policy
las done much to kill that meaning.
At great cost and great sacrifice we |
laVe bullt up our right to be respect
"a by the world. We must not and
'haA not forfeit this respect if we are
% endure as nation. Our treasure we
AN afford to give up. Our ease and
Enjoyment We can afford to give I'm.
)ur lives even we can well afford To
i've up if it becomes necessary. hut
We cannot afford to give UP one tot
II one little of our privilege OF being
and world respected
American citizens.
mat the action or inaction Of the
resent administration for the past
hree years is responsible for our pres
mt lamentable position in the ewes of
ne world cannot be disputed. That
ne problems to be faced by this ad-
have not been s;mnIe
'roblems is true. but the problems that
viii have to be faced in the future are
ertainly no more simple.
l maintain that they can best he
olved by the party which was horn
no reared during the greatest internal
risis that has faced our government
ne party that has always stood for
as opposed to the Demo-
ratio policy Of obstruction and the
rec trade doctrine of destruction. the
republican party.
80 gentlemen, I say that to preserve
his union. it may be that we shon
ave to endure a oao,o;n~,,,