The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-12-14

lie documents and official state
ments of national aims and aspira-
lions, yea, and Of national ambi-
tions. To the victors, the spoils,
will be the guiding principle that
will actuate most Of the conferees.
Large and small nations aligned
with the conquerors will present
their little bill Of damages that
must be paid in territory or in
wealth. This is precisely what
the Central Powers had heralded
to the world as their own plan of
action: the plan will still be fol-
lowed, in reverse order.
One mighty power will take
its stand at the historical table, and
will there say to the assembled
diplomats; zone hundred and
forty-two years ago we gave the
world an example Of the human
principle that all men are born
free and equal. We desire no ter
rltory; we entered not this strug-
gle for national ACKNOWLEDGMENT !;
we desire and we demand that
henceforth all peoples of earth be
treated as free and equal. We
come into court with clean hands
and pure hearts. The world shall
be safe for democracy"
America, to all appearances,
holds the controlling reins in the
race for universal peace and
harmony. Politicians of all classes,
trained in the wiles and intrica-
cies of European trickery, will
presumably seek to belittle the
lofty ideals of Mr.. Wilson. If
previous experience be a guide to
conjecture we need have little fear
OF the outcome. The President, to
use the expression of Former Am
bassador Morgenthau,. is Scotch
Irish. He possesses in a high de-
gree the shrewdness of the Scot
and the pugnacity of the Celt. For
reference, consult the Central
Powers. They know.
While all nations believe and
trust that harmony will character
lze the peace sessions, it is to be
hoped that nothing will disturb
the equanimity of the conferees.
1t is hoped and prayed that the
world will once for all look upon
the grand ideals of universal free
dom with approving gaze; that
grasping greed and vaulting ambi-
ton will be barred from a hear
ing, in whatever guise they may
elect to appear; that all members
OF the human race will finally be
adjudged as worthy of liberty and
equality. For the first time in his
tory the opportunity is presented
of extending such liberty broad.
cast throughout the earth. If this
feat be accomplished, it is not toe
much to say that it will be due
chiefly to the efforts of our Presi.
dent and the national ideals OF
our people. We know and under.
stand liberty, and we are anxious
to see all nations on the same plane
OF unhampered pursuit of life
happiness and prosperity. Oul
associates in the war have ex.
pressed a willingness to view the
matter in the same light: the PEG.
Piles those governments represent
are unanimous in looking for the
same joyous conclusion. The only
danger to be feared is from selfish
interests that seek the same op.
preston of smaller peoples that
we have fought so valiantly tc
liberate. Let every American
citizen stand firmly in thought anC
speech behind the President Of
the United States. This is not
a question of politics or of per
sonal prediction, but purely oil
the ideals of liberty and equality
ideals that have ruthlessly beer
swept aside time and again by
tyrant and oppressor.