Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-27


lion and purpose to America and now
we will make men free. If we did not
DO that the fame Of America would be
gone and all her powers would be dis
spated. She then would have to keep
her power for those narrow, selfish,
provincial purposes which seem so dear
to some minds that have no sweep
beyond the nearest horizon. I should well
come no sweeter challenge than that.
have fighting blood in me and 1t Ia some
times delight to let it have scope, but
II 1t is a challenge on this occasion 1t
will be an indulgence. Think Of the pic
ture, think of the utter blackness that
would fall on the world. America has
failed! America made a little essay at
generosity and then withdrew. America
said: I'VE are your friends" but 1t was
only for to-day. not for tomorrow.
said: Here Is our power to
vindicate right" and then the next day
said: Let right take care Of itself and
we will take care of ourselves" America
said: 1--WE set up light to lead men
along the paths Of liberty but we have
lowered 1t, 1t Is intended only to light
our own path" We set up great ideal
OF liberty and then we said: Liberty
is thing that you must win for your
self. Do not call upon u.s." And think
of the world that we would leave. Do
you realize how many new nations are
going to be set up in the presence Of old
and powerful nations In Europe and left
there, II left by us. without a disinter-
ested friend7
BELIEVES IN POLISH CAUSE
DO you believe In the Polish cause, as
dAr Arc tn sat r1<,ta a
immature, inexperienced as yet morgan
lied, and leave her with a circle of
armies around her? DO you believe In
the Jugo-Slavs as do? DO you know
how many powers would be quick to
pounce upon them II there were not the
guarantees Of the world behind their lib
erty?
Armenia? You poured out your money
to help succor the Armen!ans after they
suffered; now set your strength so tina,
they shall never suffer again.
CIVILIZATION CALLS
The arrangements of the present peace
cannot stand generation unless they
are guaranteed by the united forces Of
the civilized world. And IL we do not
guarantee them. can you not see the
picture? Your hearts have instructed
you where the burden Of this war fell
1t did not fall upon the national treas
ures, it did not fall upon the instrument:
of administration, 1t did not fall upor
the resources of the nations. 1t fell upor
the victims homes everywhere, where
women were toiling in hope that theil
men would come back.
When / think Of the homes upon which
dull despair would settle were this grea
hope disappointed, I should wish for my
part never to have had America play any
part whatever in this attempt to eman
cipate the world. But I talk as II there
were any question. I have no NOR,
doubt of the verdict Of America in thi,
matter than have doubt of the bloot
that is in me.
PEOPLE ARE IN THE SADDLE
And so. my fellow citizens, I have com,
back to report progress, and / do not be
lieve that the progress is going to stoI
short of the goal. The nations of tn,
world have set their heads now to do
great thing, and they are not going L
slacken their purpose. And when I speal
of the nations OF the world l do no
speak Of the governments Of the world
] speak Of the peoples who constitute tn,
nations of the world. They are in tn,
saddle and they are going to see to 1
that II their present governments d,
not do their will, some other govern
ments shall. And the secret is out anc
the present governments know it.
There is a great deal Of harmony to b,
got out Of common knowledge. Their,
is great deal Of sympathy to be 60
out Of living in the same atmospher
and except for the differences o
languages, which puzzled my American
ear very sadly. I could have believed
was at home in France or in Italy or /,
England when l was on the streets, whe,
/ was in the presence of the crowds
when / was in great halls where me,
gathered together irrespective of class
l did not feel quite az much home Their
as / do here, but felt that now at an,
rate. after this storm OF war had cleare,
the air. men were seeing eye to ey
everywhere and that these were tn
kind of folks who would understan,
what folks al home would understand an,
that they were thinking the same things
l feel about you as I am reminde,
of story of that excellent wit an,
good artist. oliver HEREFORD. who on
day, sitting at luncheon at his clul
was slapped vigorously on the bacl
by man whom he did not know yer,
well. He said "Ollver. old boy, hoy
are your" He looked at him rathe
| coldly. He said: II don't know you
name. l don't know your face, bu
your manners are very familiar" An
l must say that your manners ar
fav ltas yot
delightful
| 1t is a great comfort. for one thing
to realize that you all understand tn
language l am speaking. A friend o
mine said that to talk through an in
terpreter was like witnessing the com
pound fracture of an idea. But tn
beauty of 1t is that. whatever the i'm
pediments of the channel of commu
nication, the idea is the same that i
, gets registered, and II gets registere
In responsive hearts and receptive pur
poses
BACK FOR STRENUOUS EFFORT
| have come back for strenuou
attempt to transact business for
little while In America. but hav
really come back to say to you. in al
soperness and honesty. that I hav
been trying my best to speak you
thoughts.
When I sample myself. ! think
md that / am typical American
and IL I sample deep enough, and &c
down to what Is probably the tru
stun of man. then l have hope tina
it Is part OF the stun that Is like tn
other fellows at home. And, there
fore. probing deep in my heart, an
trying to see the things that are RICH
without regard to the things that ma
be debated as eXpedient. l feel that