Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-09-09
Il Seasonable Reminder

IN directing attention to the hrst prlncl-
cip1es upon which the United States en-
tered the war the New York Journal OF
Commerce does a most seasonable service.
1t was not to enforce rights solely our own
or to gain any advantage in which others
would not share that we forsook easeful paths
of peace and poured billions of treasure, with
the dearest blood of our youth, into strug-
gle across the sea. Rather, it was in order
that peril which threatened all men every
where might be struck down and that policies
favorable to the common interests of civil1za-
ton might be made potent throughout the
earth.
In no wise were we bent upon vaguely
altruistic mission, for our own welfare was
critically involved. Our citizens were being
slain upon the high seas without shadow OF
provocation: our industry and commerce were
being disturbed, violently disturbed in some
instances, by forces directed from Berlin;
our national sovereignty was being chal-
Ienged; the security of our very borders was
being subjected to Prussian intrigue.
But beyond all these concrete and urgent
occasions lay a larger cause, the cause Oh nu-
manitv and democracy, the cause OF Tree
dom and national righteousness. These were
at stake and it was in the preservation d
these that our own deepest and enduring III
terests lay. Thus it was that president VIII
son voiced the uppermost thought of Amer
ica when he declared in his memorable
Fourteen Points address: I'VE entered thls
war because violations of right had occurred
which touched us to the quick and, made the
life of oul own people impossible unless they
were corrected and the world secured once
for all against their recurrence. what we
demand, therefore, is nothing peculiar to our
selves. 1t is that the world be made fit and
safe place to live in, and particularly that 1t
be made fit for every peace-IoVlng nation
switch, like our own, wishes to live It's own
life, determine its own institutions, be as
sured of justice and fair dealing by the other
peoples of the world as against force and
selfish aggression" And then, with logic as
wide-em bracing it was incontrovertible,
the President added, "All the peoples of the
world are in effect partners in this interest,
and for our part we very clearly that I'm
less justice be done to others it will not be
done to u.s.
It is a seasonable service, we say, to bring
these principles to the fore OF publicity at
this juncture because faction OF the united
States Senate apparently has forgotten that
they ever were enunciated and accepted as
Americas guiding light. According to the
Lodges and the Knoxes we went to war for
no further purpose than to settle European
quarrel which was disturbing our comfort.
That ended we have no concern with the fu-
ture no interest or obligation to see to it
that the forces which broke so disastrously
into the worlds peace shall be kept from re-
peating the assault. 1t is none Of our bust
ness, these Senators argue in effect, whether
the world be ga fit and safe place to live in, y
nor what becomes of other nations that wish
to live peaceably and justly. If the old ser
penis of intrigue and discord wish to glide
forth again, they are welcome to do so as far
as the Lodges and Knoxes are concerned. IN
deed, the Republicans of that group would
virtually invite fresh plottings and wars, for
in their attack the Treaty and the League
Covenant they are seeking to defeat the only
plan or proposal for safeguarding peace.
Speaking an interpreter and exponent OF
the nations best business thought, the New
York Journal of Commerce well says that in
asmuch as the struggle of the last five years
has been waged with the object Of making the
world safe for democracy cit would seem to be
obvious that the victors cannot wash their
hands of the responsibility of constructing a
new framework for human society," and that
for the United States to shirk it's own great
responsibility in this task, instead of help
ing us would injure our reputation and in
crease our liza biities.'' Cooperation in an
international league for preserving peace and
promoting the common good of mankind is
the only course consistent with the principles
upon which we entered the war and in fidelity
to which we shall maintain our interests and
our honor.