The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-03-08
Perhaps no equal Pc

Rod in our history has been SO fruit
full of important reforms in our eco
nomic and industrial life or so full
of significant change in the spirit
and purpose Of our political action.
We have sought very thoughtfully to
set our house in order, correct the
grosser errors and abuses of our in
dustrial life, liberate and quicken the
processes of our national genius and
energy, and lift our politics to
broader view of the peoples essential
interests. 1t is a record of singular
variety and singular distinction.
"But I shall not attempt to review
tilt speaks for itself and will be fin
creasing influence as the years go by.
This is not the time for retrospect.
1t is time, rather, to speak our
thoughts and purposes concerning
the present and the immediate flu
ture.
Our Foreign Relations
"Although We have conferred coun-
sci and action with such unusual con-
centration and success upon the great
problems of domestic legislation to
which we addressed ourselves four
years ago, other matters have more
and more forced themselves upon our
attention, matters lying outside our
own life as a nation and over which
we had no control, but which, de-
spite our wish to keep free of them,
have drawn US more and more ir-
resistibly into their own current and
influence.
"It has been impossible to avoid
them. They have affected the life of
the whole world. They have shaken
men everywhere with passion and
an apprehension they never knew be-
fore. 1t has been hard to preserve
calm counsel while the thought of
our own people swayed this way and
that under their influence. We are
a composite and cosmopolitan people.
We are of the blood of all the ma
tons that are at war. The currents
of our thoughts as we'll as the cur
rents of our trade run quick at all
seasons, back and forth between us
and them. The inevitable sets its
mark from the firsc alike upon our
minds, our Industries, our commerce
our politics and our social action. TIC
be Indifferent of it was out of tbs
| question.
Drawn Closer Together
"And yet all the while we have
been conscious that We were not part
of it. In that consciousness, despite
many diversions, we have draw
closer together. We have been deep
ly wronged upon the seas, but WI
have not wished to wrong or injur'
in return; have retained Throughout
the consciousness of standing in SOM
sort apart, intent upon an interes
that transcribed the immediate is
sues of the war itself. AS some O
the injuries done us have become in
tolerable we have still been clear tina
We wished nothing for ourselves tina
e we were not ready to demand for a
mankind-fair dealing, justice, tn
freedom to live and be at ease again:
= organized wrong.
at is in this spirit and with thi
thought that we have grown MOI
and more aware, more and more ce1
tain that the part we wished to pla
was the part of those who mean
vindicate and fortify peace. We hay
been obliged to arm ourselves
make good our claim to a certa
minimum of right and of freedo
of action. We stand firm in arme
neutrality since it seems that no OF
er way we can demonstrate what
is We insist upon and cannot for
go. We may even be drawn on, ci
cumstances, not by our own purpo
or desire, to a more active ASSERT,
of our rights as we see them and
more immediate association with t
great struggle itself. But nothi1
will alter our thought or our pu
pose. They are too clear to be Q
scured. They are too deeply root
in the principles of our National Ii
to be altered. We desire neither co
quest nor adventure We wish not
ing that can be had only the &C
of another people. We have alwa
professed unselfish purpose and
covet the opportunity to prove tn
our professions are secure.
Much to Do at Home
There are many things still to
at home, to clarity our own polit
and give new vitality to the indl
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When the child is suhiec+ tn