Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1919-02-27

| their names, nothing but a modern
scrap CT paper; 10 nations united Io
defend it; no great forces combined
to make it good, no assurance given
to the down-trodden and fearful pe0-
pie Of the world that they shall be
safe. Any man who thinks that Amer
lea will take part in giving the world
any such rebuff and disappsintE:9 9nt
as. that does not know America
81 invite him to test the sentiments
Of the nation. We set this nation u
to make men free, and we did not con
fine our conception and purpose 10
America, and now we will make men
free
IF we did not do that all the fame
Of America would be gone and all her
power would be dissipated. She
would then have to keep her power
for those narrow, selfish, provincial
purposes which seem 50 dear to some
minds that they have no sweep beyond
the nearest horizon.
Think OF The picture, think Of the
utter blackness that would fall on the
world America has failed; America
made a little essay at generosity;
then withdrew. America said we are
your friends but it was only for to-
day, not for tomorrow America said
here is our power to indicate right
and the next day said let right take
| care Of itself and We will take care
Of ourselVes,' America said 'ws set
up light to lead men along the paths
| Of liberty but we have lowered it, il
is intended only to light our own
path We set up d great ideal OF
liberty and then we said liberty is a
thing that you must win for yourself
DO not call upon US
Nations Need Friend.
And think of the world that we
would leave. Do you realize how
many nations are going to be set in
the presence Of old and powerful na-
tions in Europe and left there, if left
by US, without disinterested friend?
DO you believe in the Polish cause
as l do? Are you going to set Up
Poland, immature, Inexperienced a5
get unorganized, and leave her with
a circle OF armies around her? Do
! you believe in The aspirations OF the
| Czecho-Siovaks and the Jugo-Slavs as
| do? Do you know how many powers
would be QUICK TO pounue upon theIntE
! there were not the guarantees Of Tie
world behind their liberty?
Have you thought Of the sufcring8
of Armenia? You poured out your
money to help succor the Armenians
after they suffered; now set up your
strength SO that they shall never sui
fer again.
The arrangements of the present
! peace can not stand a generation IN
| less they are guaranteed by tIIe united
forces Of the civilized world. And if
we do not guarantee them, can you
not see the picture? Your hearts have
/ Instructed where the burden Of this
war fell 1t did not fail upon the ma
! tional treasures; it did not fall upon
! the resources of the nations. 1t fell
upon the yOiceless homes everywhere,
where women were telling in hope
that their men would come back.
!
When l think Of the homes upon
which dull despair would settle if this
great hope is disappointed, l should
wish for my part never to have had
/ America play any part whatever il
! this attempt to emancipate the world.
But l talk as if there was any ques-
| tion l have no doubt of the verdict
toe -
more doubt of the verdict OF America
II this matter than have doubt Of the
blood that is in me.
and SO, my fellow citizens, l have
| come back to report progress, and
| 10 not believe that the progress is go
lng TO stop short OF the goal. The ma
lions Of the world have set their
hearts now to do a great thing, ana
hey are not going to slacken their
purpose. And when l speak Of the
nations Of the world, I do not speak CT
the governments CT the world /
speak OF the peoples who constitute
/ the nations Of the world They
are in the saddle, and they are going
! 10 see to it that if present govern
lents do not do their will, some 9th
er government shall, and the secret is
out and the present governments
snow it.
4 have come back for a strenuous
attempt to transact business for d lit
tie while in America, but I have real
ly come back to say to you, in all
soberness and honesty, that I have
been trying my hest to speak your
thoughts.
When l sample myself I think I
! find that I am a typical American,
and if I sample deep enough. and get
down to what probably is the true
stuff Of the men, then I have hope
that it is part of the stuff that is like
the other fellows at home.
and, therefore, probing deep in my
heart and trying to see the things
that are right without regards to the
things that may be debated as expe-
dient, I feel that I am interpreting the
purpose and the thought Of America,
and in loving America l find | have
joined the great majority of my fel-
.owmen throughout the world"
Austin, Tex. -kdjt. Gen. James a.
Harley and his Investigating officer,
! Ranger Capt W. \. Hanson, were vim
dicated in the report Of joint legis-