New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-18
Vice President Outlines
u. S. Attitude Toward
Britain on Peace
Rights of the Germans
Must Be Permitted to Choose
Their Own Form of
Government

the nation for whole hearted parttci-
patton in the war last night at the
golden Jubilee celebration Of Scottish
Rite Masons, held in the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel. When the war thrust
itself upon the United States. he said
it created problems in loyalty and
patriotism the possibility Of which had
gone unconsidered in the BELIEF that
European war never could cross the
Atlantic.
In closing he said:
81 do not want entangling alliances
with European nations. IL is not neces-
sary to have them. When We sit at the
council table Of the world, trust we
may do so as the representative OF
newer and better isoletion-an isola-
ton OF the spirit-tree to say to the
Germanic people, Have what govern
ment you please, but let US know that
it is yours; flee to say to the Oldest
of constitutional governments, the
British Empire, we have made this
fight with you as our ally in the cause
Of democracy, but we are not willing
to change our system. The Windsor tie
does not harmonic With the cut Of our
democracy"
Loyalty and Patriotism
His speech, in part, follows:
mo one ever doubted the loyalty 70
the flag Of all these people, whether
foreign born or the sons of foreign
born. Our isolation made 1t inmate
rial to US whether there was any diff
ference between loyalty and patriot
ism, and we did not face the question
until It became of moment.
"The years drew us closer and closer
70 Europe in the ties of commerce and
in the friendly relations Of travel.
More and more we became part OF
the world; and suddenly q mad mon
arch, drunk with military power and
crazed with the idea that he was d.
vinely ordained TO rule the world, ,
plunged Europe into a war so awful
that all wars which had preceded 1t
paled into insignifcance.
Still we stood by our ancient ideas
Of isolation, but in two years and a
half we discovered that there was
vast difference between loyalty and
patriotism. The hearts Of men famed
up very largely in response to The
blood that flowed in their veins. Patrl- /
otism showed itself as dependent, not
upon place Of residence nor political
ideas, but rather upon heredity.
Patience at last was exhausted. and
there was nothing for a self-Sspecting
people TO do, if their republic was 20
gage in the war on the side Of democ .
racy.
Objects to Hair Splitting
81 do not care to engage in any hair
splitting although there seems TO be
much discussion as to whether this war
is being waged TO make the world safe
for democracy or 30 make democracy .
safe for the world OF course, il
was meant by the President. when he .
spoke Of making the world safe for .
democracy Of making it safe for real .
democracy
I'VE all know that liberty is not /
license, nor democracy demagogy. We .
all know that the world cannot be made
safe for murder and arson and pillagc
and anarchy and everything for which .
the syndicalist and the |. ". VS.. may
stand, and we know also that such .
things as these cannot be made safe
for the world.
Democracy means the rule of the .
people under whatever form of govern
ment they may choose TO express it, but
when once the rule of the people has
been expressed through their chosen
representatives, then-ald particularly
in the hour of war however much aay
Of us may think that certain Of the .
policies are mistaken policies. free
speech, free press and liberty Of con-
science do not justify criticism, for
criticism, however unintentional, in
variably gives aid and comfort to the
enemy.
Draft Not a Subject Of Debate
Transcription as a principle may be
a subject Of debate, but not now. This .
democracy has adopted It for the pur-
pose of this war, and discussion of il
ought to be held in allegiance. This .
government, by its chosen representa-
tives, has declared this war. If there
be any who think il is not justified, let
them not be of aid and comfort TO the
enemy by voicing their sentiments.
81 want this war to end, but not 10
end until the people in every land shall .
possess the right to make peace and
declare war either directly or through
their chosen representatives. | want
blood and birth and social standing,
and educational qualifications and re-
iigious trend all to be forgotten in this
new parliament Of new men, this fed
Grafton of the world"