The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-03-01

know how to maintain and for which
there is abundant precedent.
1T is devoutly to be hoped that il
will not be necessary to put armed
force anywhere into action. The
American people do not desire it and
our desire is not different from theirs.
l am sure that they will understand
the spirit in which l am now acting,
the purpose l hold dearest 70 my
heart and would wish to exhibit in
everything l do.
Il am anxious that the people of
the nations at war also should under.
stand and not mistrust US. | hope
that l need give no further proofs
and assurances that | have already
given throughout nearly three years
of anxious patience that | am the
friend of peace and mean to preserve
it for America as long as | am able.
Il am not now proposing or con-
templating war or any steps that need
lead to it. | merely request that you
will accord me by your own vote and
definite bestowal the means and the
authority to safeguard in practice
the right of a great people who are
at peace and who are desirous Of ex-
ercislng none but the rights of peace
tofollow the pursuit ofpeacein quiet.
ness and good will-rights recognized
time out of mind by all the civilized
nations of the world. No course of
my choosing or of theirs will lead to
war. War can come only by the will
full acts and sggressions of others.
you will understand why | can
make no definite proposals or fore
casts of action now and must ask for
your supporting authority in the
most general terms. | believe that
the people will be willing to trust me
to act with restraint. with prudence
and in the true spirit of amity and
good faith that they have themselves
displayed throughout these trying
months; and it is in that belief that /
request that you will authorize me
to supply our merchant ships with
defensive arms. should that become
necessary, and with the means of US.
ing them, and to employ any other
instrumentalities or methods that
may be necessary and adequate to
protect our ships and our people in
their legitimate and peaceful! pursuits
on the seas. request also that you
will grant me at the same time. along
with the powers ask, sufficient ere
dit to enable me to provide adequate
means of protection where they are
lacking. including adequate insurance
against the present war risks.
Il have spoken of our commerce
and of the legitimate errands of our
people on the seas. bat you will not
be misled as to my main thought, the
thought that lies beneath these
phrases and gives them dignity and
weight. 1t is not of national interests
merely that we are thinking. 1t is,
rather. offundamental human rights,
chief of all the right of life itself. |
am thinking not only of the rights
of Americans to go and come about
their proper business by way of the
sea, ,but..also of something much deep.
er. much more fundamental than that.
Il am thinking of those rights of
humanity without which there is no
civilization. My then is Of :hose
great principles of compassion and O.
protection which mankind has :'ugh.
to throw about human lives, the
lives of non. combatants, the lives of
men who are peacefully at work
keeping the industrial process of the
world quick and vital, the lives of
women and children and of those
who supply the labor which min
listers to their sustenance. We are
speaking of no selfish material
rights, but simply of rights that our
hearts support and whose founda-
ton is that righteous passion for
justice upon which all law. all struc-
lures alike of family, of state and
of mankind must rest, as upon the
ultimate base of our existence end
or liberty. l cannot imagine any
man with American principles at
heart hesitating to defend these
things"