The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-01-27

thereby abandon Its traditional policy
Of isolation and no entangling al
liancss. was laid squarely before con.
grsss and the country today by Pres
ident Wilson In a personal address
70 the ssnate.
For theF first time in more than q
hundred years president of the
United States appeared in tho senate
chambSr to discuss the nations for
sign tnlations after the manner of
WashiHgton. Adams and Madison. The
effect fss to leave congress. all oin-
cial Qpertsrs and the foreign diplo-
mats tAmaxed and bewildered. I'm
mediat there arose sharp division
Of opin1on over the propriety as well
~ the substance Of the presidents
proposal.
startling" Staggering" "astound-
Ing" ''the noblest utterance that has
fallen from human lips since the Dec
laration OF Independence" were
among the expressions Of senators.
The president himself after his ad.
dress said:
= IT have said what everybody has
been longing for. but has thought i'm
possible. Now It appears to be pos
sible."
The chief points Of the presid ent's
address were:
That lasting peace in Europe can
not be peace Of victory for either
aide.
That peace must be forwarded by q
definite concert Of power to assure
the world that no catastrophe of war
shall ovsrwhelm It again.
That In such a concert of power
the United States can not withhold
-tts participation to guarantee peace
and Justice through the world.
And before . peace II made the
United States government should
frankly formulate the conditions upon
which Il would feel justified in ask.
ing the American people for their
formal and solemn adherence.
The president. In his address. said:
Gentlemen Of the Senate: On the
18th Of December. last. I addressed
IN Identical note to the governments
ct the nations at war requesting them
TO state. more definitely than they
had been stated by either group Of
nelligerents. the terms upon which
they would deem II possible to make
peace. j spoke on behalf of human
ity and OF the rights Of all neutral
nations like our own. many of whose
most vital interests the war puts in
constant jeopardy. The central DOW
ers united In a reply which stated
merely that they were ready to NEE.
their antagonists In conference to dis
cuss terms of peace. The entente
powers have replied much more def
niteiy and have stated. in general
terms. indeed. but with sufficient
definiteness to imply details. the ar
rangements. guarantees and acts of
reparation which they deem to We
the indispensable conditions of a
satisfactory settlement. We are that
much nearer definite discussion of
peace which shall end the present
war. We are that much nearer the
discussion Of the international con-
cert which must thereafter hold the
world at peace. In every discussion
OF the peace that must end this wa,
II is taken for granted that that peac,
must be followed by some defnit,
concert Of power which will make IL
virtually impossible that any such
catastrophe should overwhelm us
again. Every lover of mankind. every
sane and thoughtful man, must take
that for granted.
II have sought this opportunity I
address you because I thought owed
u TO you. as the counsel associated
with mo In the final determination |
OF our international obligations, To
disclose to you without reserve the
thought and purpose that have been
taking form In my mind In regard |
to the duty OF our government IN |
those days to come when II will bc
necessary to lay afresh and upon
new plan the foundations Of pcac
among the nations.
1T Is inconceivable that the pco-
pie OF the United States should play |
no part In that great enterprise. To
take part I'm such service will he th
opportunity for which they IL"
sought TO prepare themselves by the
worry principles and purposes of thel~
polity and the approved practices of
their government ever since the dn"r
when they set up n new nation IN
the high and honorable hope tina: Il !
rui9hf In all TINT IL was and did s. oNy |.