The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-03-01
moment to exercise.

'No doubt, I already possess that
authority without special warrant of
law, by the plain implication of my
constitutional duties and powers: but
l prefer, in the present circumstances,
not to act upon general implication.
| wish to feel that the authority and
TIE power of Congress are behind
me in whatever it may become neces-
sary for me to do. We are Jointly
the servants of the people and must
act together and in their spirit, so far
as we can divine and interpret it.
"No one doubts what it is our duty
to do. We must defend our COM
merce and the lives of our people in
the midst of the present trying cir
cumstance, with discretion, but with
clear and steadfast purpose. Onlv the
method and the extent remain to be
chosen, upon the occasion, if occas-
ion should indeed arise.
"Since it has unhappily proved i'm
possible to safeguard our neutral
rights by diplomatic means against
the unwarranted infringements they
arc suffering at the hands Of Ger.
| to- armed neutrality, which we shall
hIiOW AOW W uldIutdlIl dIlu LUZ WHICH
there is abundant American prece
{ dent.
ut is devoutly to be hoped that il
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. Tht
and our desire is not different from
: theirs. l am sure that they will I'M
: derstand the spirit in which I an
!, now acting, the purpose hold near
, est my heart and would wish to ex
: hibit in everything I do.
: II am anxious that the people O.
/ the nations at war also should un
derstand and not mistrust US. I hop'
, that I need give no further proof.
and assurances than have alread!
: given throughout nearly three year,
Of anxious patience that I am tn
l friend of peace and mean to preserve
it for America so long as am able
2 II am not now proposing or con
: templating war or any steps tina
4 need lead to it. I merely reques
f that you will accord me by your owl
3 vote and definite bestowal the mean
e and authority to safeguard the RICH
: of great people who are at peac
S and who are DESTROYS Of exercis
: ing none but the rights of peace, t
S follow the pursuit Of peace in quiet
: ness and good will-rights recog
e nized time out Of mind by all tn
e civilized nations Of the world.
e "No course Of my choosing or o
:, theirs will lead to war. War ca
h come only by the wilfull acts and ag
n gressions of others.
S "You will understand why I ca
make no definite proposals or fore
t casts of action now and must as
e for your supporting authority in tn
s most general terms. The form i
e which action may become necessar
e cannot be foreseen. l believe ths
l. the people will be willing to trust m
l. to act with restraint, with prudence
r and in the true spirit of amity an
e good faith that they have themselve
; displayed throughout these tryin
: months; and it is in that belief tia
} I request that you will authorize m
= to supply our merchant ships wit
l. defensive arms should that becom
IS necessary, and with the means Of Us
e ing them, and to employ any othe
instrumentalities or methods thu
1t may be necessary and adequate
le protect our ships, and our people
s. their legitimate and peaceful pu
ee suits on the seas. l request also th'
N you will grant me at the same tin
in along with the powers 1 ask, a su
e. ficient credit to enable me to provif
u adequate means of protection whe
n they are lacking, including rinsu'
ance against the present war risk
be ct have spoken Of our CONNER
x and of the legitimate errands Of o
Mt people on the seas, but you will n
d, be misled as to my main thought, t
at thought that lies beneath these phra
an es and gives them dignity al
lie weight. It is not of material int
to ests merely that we are thinking.
in is, father, of fundamental hum
GU rights, chief of all the rights of Il
he itself. I am thinking not only
ny the rights of Americans to go a
- come about their business by W
Its
If An Honest Letter From an Hone