Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-05-04
PROFESSOR GEORGE C.
JENSEN'S SPEECH
tcontinued From Page one)

this time forward and foreyer-whe-
Their America continues to live or not
Abraham Lincoln ceases to be only
American. For many years we have
appreciated that the strength Of Lin
coin during the Civil war days and
after lay IN the fact that he was
neither southern or northern but
American. Today we are reforming
the phrase to read that he is neither
English nor French nor American but
internationally human. To carry the
spirit of Lincoln into this great world
fray, and into the councils of peace
that follow the war, is privilege OF
which we might well be proud, and
for which we should be willing to sa-
crihce without end.
But what after all really is the great
all pervading spirit that is guiding
the destinies of America and to which
she must ever remain true II she is to
remain at all.
We have not forgotten with what
kind consideration Lincoln himself
welcomed back into the union those
who had strayed from il and had
fought against it,-welcomed them
back lovingly in the face of thous
ands Of strong men and women who
cried for revenge. He knew then as
many another did not, that these were
not traitors but honest souls with
sincere convictions. All! Those who
can fight you to the death without
malice and without anger are few in
deed. A love that overrides all ex-
cuse for either private or public re-
venge is a priceless heritage for a
people
Nor have we forgotten how this
spirit Of national consideration and
fairness handed back to China, for the
education of her youth, Americas
share OF the indemnity money exacted
by the allied nations at the time OF
the Boxer uprisings.
And where shall we look for an
other nation with a conscience so
keen that 1t must perforce, in full
Justice to itself and to others, pay
twenty millions of dollars for islands
which had already been captured as
prizes of war?
And again, where is that other pow
erful nation which would tolerate
comparatively Insignificant nation
snarlipg at It's heels for long period
Of years when with single decisive
blow 1t might have ended the nuisance
foreyer-and ended it proftably for
the larger nation?
And finally. where shall we look for
another world power which will pa.
tiently take insult after insult for
nearly three years, and yet keep clear
ly in mind that the great masses OF
the ,antagonizing country are not at
fault-that nearer the throne than
the people stands a power dangerous
to democracy? Who but a people with
great ideal can be mindful, under
such circumstances, that 1t Is far more
courageous TO suffer injury than tC
allow the spirit OF national revenge
to stalk abroad in the land?
These are the new remnants which
America has proudly cast to the -four
winds where they shall fly for al
time-these considerations for the
stricken south. for the weaklinf
China, for the conquered country o.
Spain, for the troublesome Mexico
. and now. for the tremendously mis-
taken German people. These are our
standards and the chief standard
bearer Is Abraham Lincoln.
For the last fifty years we hav,
been making pilgTimages to the tenn
pie Of this great man and piling higl
upon hts altar, to be consumed BY
the fires OF his soul, our nationa
weaknesses, our false prides, oul
readiness to carry chip upon the
shoulder our embellished ideas thai
we are the lords Of creation. And
ever as we have made these sacrl
fees we have heard the admonitior
which is rapidly becoming a national
slogan: with malice toward none;
with charity for ALL" Upon this
America has built her philosophy un
til today we are prepared to declare
and to fight for It, that, all nation,
have right to exist, be they grea
or small. The theory that nigh
makes right is profoundly unAmert
can and uhdemocratic and we mus
add our mite TO blast such dIaboli
cal doctrine. The democratic philoso
ply Of Lincoln that right makes might
IN at war With the philosophy Of
Nietche that might makes right. II
the former is to live we will have
10 nght for II.
And now we actually stand upon
the verge OF this fight while a few
patriotic stragglers have already car.
RED oaf banner into the fray. The
nation Is slowly awakening TO the
realization that once more II IL Will.
ing 10 make mighty sacrifice for its