The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-10
Hail Columbia!

Hail
In the house of representatives on
Saturday President Wilson announced
that diplomatic relations were broken
off between the United States and
Germany The event marks a turn
ing-point In American history and II
may be in the history OF the world.
Lord Bryce, in his noble work on the
American commonwealth. 3es-rioea
the huge grey hall at Washington,
with it's perpetual Glamour. Its Feeh
and eager faces. the coming ana go
ing of many feet, the presence OF If
reverent enlookers. who watched from
the galleries and forced their way on
to the floor "Of what tremer dous
struggles" he wrote, may not this
hall become the theater in ages yet
far distant. when the parliamen,s OF
Europe have sunk to insignifcance
For the first time in her history.
the American Republic has tnterven-
cd In n European war. No such step
could have been taken except under
intolerable provocation. Germany has
broken her pledge to America "a she
broke her oath to Belgium. Having
given assurances after tho sinking or
the Sussex that the rights of nentrals
on the high seas would be respected.
she has notified. in language which
resembles the rawlings of insanity
Of Great Britain are TO he sunk at
sight by her submarines. one Amer
lean steamer, painted and tagged
under German instructions, was to be
permitted TO ply weekly between the
Atlantic coast and Falmouth--'tke n
Dutch paddle boat" AS the prime
minister has suggested. There was
time, indeed when the New England
settlers had humble idea OF the
Of hn ia I
den exiles pleaded with James I. TO
allow them liberty Of conscience in
America. the king inquired how they
meant to live.
by fishing" they said An henes,
trade" replied James, twas the
apostles own calling.
The United States today is the third
naval power. and her maritime infiu-
~ncs has steadily increased in the past
three years. Her gallant sailors are
second 10 none in courage and eff
ficiency. Germany, through the
mouth Of her chancellor. and in a
diplomatic message which Ia world s
wonder for insoience and falschood.
proposes TO direct the American feet
as schoolboy guides his white 50 led
schooner on the round pond In Ken
Sington gardens.
Mr., Wilson refuses to play the
war, hut the dismissal OF Count Bern.
stroff and the recall OF Mr.. Gerard
have awakened even Germans to the
realities Of the situation. The iresi-
dent has behind him the enthusiastic
support OF the nation, including pa
trotic citizens OF German extraction.
Putting aside for amount the even
tuality of war, let us think what the
break means.
The presidents action has reveal
ed, 10 friends and foes alike. the
strength and unity OF America. Many
races are being slowly welded in that
crucible. We cannot blame the mil
lions OF exiles from Germany and
Eastern Europe II the chief boon Of
life has seemed to them peace with
freedom. Mr.. Wilson's cautious
diplomacy has disappointed our
friends In the eastern states, but the
population of western prairies and
river valleys, absorbed in their own
concerns. and far from the noises OF
the struggle, felt that he could be
trusted to uphold American honour.
He returned to office last Novc!n Der
invested with almost dicta. orial
powers. With four wears OF rule in
front, he confi shape his own policy.
Perhaps he has come to the kingdom
for such time as this. The defense
Of American interests has in every
emergency been his chief concern.
and with calm and sure Judgment he
has interpreted the mind Of his county
men. Newspapers, even OF the "hyph-
enated" class. are apolaudine the
stand he has taken. Therefore the
work done on Saturday has "a a
moral effect which can hardly yet be
estimated at It's full value. In India
and China. in the South American
republic. among the natives Of
Africa and Polynesia. AmeriCc will
be ranked henceforward as a sup
porter Of the allies. She has passed
out OF the realm OF cold and formal
neutrality.
under the banner OF truth and free
dom. The world had a new revela-
ton when Count Bernstroff was hand
ed his passports Neither wealth, nor
ease. nor old associations. nor graft
tude for the scientific services of Ger
many; neither the dread OF convul-
sion at home. nor the consciou.n ness
OF military unpreparedness. has avail
ed to fetter the proud spirit OF the
American democracy. The souls of
Washington and Lincoln have reused
mighty people to the defense Of its
honour. America has had a vision of
universal peace. the line OF light upon
the land. the lane Of beams ath'vart
the sea. The path towards that de-
sired haven may lie through darkness
end storm. but the end OF the voyage
Is sure.
In a significant passage Of s1tur-
days speech. and In a note to diplo-
matists abroad. Mr.. Wilson proclaim
ed his leadership Of the neutral states
and invited them to follow the ex-
ample OF America. where the yves
of all are threatened. common action
Is necessary. AS we write IT Is ex-
pected that the South American re-
publics will come into line with
America. Spain. the flrst OF Euronean
nsutrals. II in bitter perpiexisy Free
dom OF the SEAS guaranteed by the