The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-07-05

trappings and the primitive authority
of an age that is altogether alien and
hostile to our own. The past and
present are in deadly grapple and the
world are being done to death be-
tween them.
There can be but one issue. The
settlement must be final. There can
be no compromise. No half decision
would be tolerable. No half way
decision Is conceivable. These are
the ends for which the associated peo
pies of the world are lighting and
which must be conceded them before
there can be peace
Il The destrution of every arbitr-
airy power anywhere that can separ-
ately, secretly and Of its single choice
disturb the peace OF the world, or, if
1t cannot be presently destroyed, at
the least It's reduction to virtual i'm.
potency.
"2-The settlement OF every ques-
tion whether of territory, or sovereign.
ity or economic arrangement or OF
political relationship, upon the basis
of the free acceptance OF that settle
ment by the people Immediately con
cerned, and not upon the basis of the
material interest or advantage on any
other nation or people which desire
a different settlement for the sake OF
it's own exterior influence or mastery.
"3-The consent of all nations TO be
governed in their conduct towards
each other by the same principles OF
honor and of respect for the common
law of civilized society that govern
the individual citizens of all modern
states in their relation with ono an
other; to the end of that all promises
and covenants may be sacredly OBJ
served no private plots or conspir
acies hatched no selfish injuries
wrought with impunity, and mutual
trust established upon the handsome
foundation OF mutual respect fol
right.
1.-THE establishment OF an organ
ization of peace which shall make II
certain that the combined power ot
free nations will check every invasion
of right and serve TO make peace and
I justice the more secure by affoMing
definite tribunal OF opinion to which
all must submit and which every in
ternational readjustment that cannot
be amicably agreed upon by the peo
plies directly concerned shall be sane
toned.
"These great objects can be put into
single sentence. What we seek /!
the region of law based upon the con
sent of the governed and sustaine,
by the organized opinion Of mankind
These great ends cannot b,
achieved by debating and seeking t
reconcile and Accommodate what state
smen may wish with their projects 70
balances of power and of national OF
portunity. They can be realized onl.
by the determination of what tn
thinking peoples OF the world dc
sire, with their longing hope for jus
tice and for social freedom and OF
portunity,
81 can fancy that the air of thi
place carries the acdent OF such prir
ciples with peculiar kindness. Her
were started forces which the grea
! nation against which they were prin
arlIy dorected at first regarded as
. revolt against its rightful authorit
but which 1t has long since seen I
have been a step in the liberation G
. its own people as well as OF the pei
, pie of the United States; and stan
{ here now to speak-speak proudly an
. with confident hope of the spread {
| this revolt, this liberation to the grea
+ stage of the world itself The blin,
3 ed rulers of Prussia have reused TO
! ces they knew little of forces whicl
+ once reused. can never be crushed I
! earth again; for they have at the
, heart an inspiration and purpos
=. which are deathless and OF the ver
. stuffed triumph"
. ssat=--