The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-06-16

nations confidence by offering only the
best of our intelligence, the flower Of
our patriotism toward the solution of
what all men perceive to be crisis In
the nations affairs
The Paramount Issue.
In asking for an Endorsement of the
presidents peace policy Mr.. Glynn
said:
For two years the world has been
, afire. The civilization that we know
has been torn by the mightiest strug-
gle in its history. Sparks from Eu-
ropes confiagration have blazed in our
own skies. echoes OF her strife have
sounded at our very doors. That fire
still burns. that struggle still contin-
ues. but thus far the United States has
held the flame at bay. thus far it has
saved its people from participation in
the conflict.
What the people of the United
States must determine through their
suffrage is whether the course the
country has pursued through this cru
cial period is to be continued, whether
the principles that have been asserted
as our national policy shall be indorsed
or withdrawn.
This is the paramount ISSUE No
lesser issue must cloud it, no unrelated
problems must confuse it."
IN declaring that the policy of neu-
trality is as American as the American
flag Mr.. Glynn asserted that:
The first president of the United
States was the first man to pronounce
neutrality rule of international con-
duct
"In April. 1893, Washington declar.
ed the doctrine, and within q month
John Jay, chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States, in an epoch
making decision from the bench whose
realization would insure universal and
perpetual peace, wrote the principle
into the law of this land. The Dec
laration of Independence had foretold
It by declaring the rest Of mankind
enemies in war. in peace friends The
constitution recognized it, but the first
president Of the United States by
proclamation, the first chief Justice by
Interpretation. gave it vitality and
power.
Stands With Washington.
THE president of the United States
stands today where stood the men
who made America and who saved
America. He stands where John Adj
ans 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 way, 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 country would never unsheath the
sword except in self defense so long
as justice and our essential rights could
be preserved without it,
For vainglory or for selfish pur-
pose. others may cry up policy OF
blood and iron, but the president of
the United States has acted on the be-
lief that the leader Of nation who
plunges his people into an unnecessary
war, like POntius PLATE vainly washes
his hands of innocent blood while the
earth quakes and the heavens are dark
ened and thousands give up the
ghost"
Republican Party False to Its Tradi-
tions.
Speaking of the opposition to the
presidents peace policy, the speaker
continued:
day the Republican party opposes what
Hamilton stood for a century ago. The
founder of the Republican party and
the founder of the Democratic party,
placing their cOuntry's happiness above
every other consideration, forgot par
tisanship and made American neutral
ity 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 par
ty to show that they follow where
Hamilton led. Where Hamilton coun-
seled moderation they denounce it.
Where Hamilton thought only of coun-
try they think only of self. Where
Hamilton placed patriotism above par
tisanship tthey place craftsmanship
above patriotism. How then do they
| dare to speak for the great body of
American citizens who. form the rank
! and file of the Republican party? Do
these leaders believe that their Repub-
licanism is a better Republicanism than.
Hamilton's, their Americanism purer
Americanism than that of Washington?
IF Washington was right if Jeffer-
son was right, if Hamilton was right,
if Lincoln was right, then the presi-
dent Of the United States is right to-
day. If the Republican leaders are
right then Lincoln was wrong and JEFF
ferson was wrong and Hamilton was
| wrong and Washington was wrong"
The justification of our policy of neu-
! trality is expressed by Mr.. Glynn in
these words:
Before this declaration every war
was world war; since this declara.
ton nearly every war has been local