Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-11-20
The DEFEAT OF THE TREATY

ed States senate, made up of the Bourbon Republicans heaaed
by That greatest disciple of reaction, Henry Cabot Lodge, the
United States of America has failed to measure up to her great
opportunity in taking a foremost place in the advancement of
civilization and the uplift of humanity.
Thanks TO the bigoted and narrow attitude assumed by The
Republicans in the United States senate America is disgraced
and beIfttIed before the world.
Strong, fearless and efficient in war, the nation has shown
itself timid, hesitating and afraid in peace.
When called upon to play a leading part in a world al
arms. America responded with all the might and power that
This great republic could show and we were hailed as the de-
liverers of the world and the savior of democracy.
When called upon to follow up this great achievement and
uphold This wonderful reputation in the REIMBURSEMENT OF world
affairs following the war. America has failed miserably.
BIG and strong and self-sunfcient, possessing all the re-
sources that nature affords; with an enlightened and progress
sive people fully capable of holding their own in any company,
America now shrinks from the great task that confronts The
world. The United States, under the leadership Of the hepup-
lican majority in the senate, would stink back into her hole and
leave the peoples she has helped TO SET Tree II 8Fope HUI way
out as best they can.
1t is a most ignominous and humiliating situation Tor a
great, strong. powerful nation like this to be III.
Civilization must either go forward or backward. The
United States, with all her wealth, her resources and her pros
perity is destined to play a leading part i'll world affairs IN the
future regardless of what attitude such petty poltlelanseaS
Senator Lodge and his fellow Republicans in The United States
senate may take.
the United States does no. lead in the march of progress
it will surely lead in reIrogression.
Never before has there been such an opportunity to do SO
much for The world and for humanity as at This particular
period in history. Civilization has slowly advanced through the
ages from the rowing tribes of prehistoric man up through the
clans. the Giles and the states to the great national life that IS
so highly developed Today.
Just as il was foolish for ~nefglbors to battle against each
other in the early days of civilization when by standing togelherI
they could be of mutual assistance in Warding off the common
danger; just as the cities and petty states found it desirable to
stand together and settle their own differences through peace
full means SO as to stand with a united front against the par
barians, so it is most desirable today for the great nations of
the eGrih to arrange for a common understanding so that mass
es of men may not go forth TO slaughter each other, bringing
-;-o-~o I[ ,G,uin and 1ncu In1n 1a Nrnr1J |
This, indeed, is the forward looking position worthy OIL
any great nation and it was this great vision of a world at peace,
with nations living in harmony one with the other that Wood
row Wilson saw when he went to Paris and, matching his
brains and skill against the greatest diplomats that the Old
World could produce, succeeded in bringing home to America
a document that was the foundation stone of a future civiliza-
ton. such as forward looking men had long hoped for but had
hardly dared believe was possible.
The League of Nations, as provided for in the peace treaty
that the Republicans in the United States senate have just
turned down, has all the qualifications for success. It is not
perfect, to be sure. Neither was the Constitution of the United
States perfect when il was adopted by the separate states after
much bitter opposition. At the very first sitting of the congress
following the adoption of the Constitution no less than seventy
eight amendments were offered by the different states. These
were finally reduced to seventeen and then TO twelve, ten of
which were ratified by the states.
The point is, the American people in those early days were
not afraid to take the advanced step of adopting the Constitu-
ton. no matter how imperfect they considered it to be. Then,
at the first opportunity. they proceeded to strengthen it by
amendments and thus was this great republic established.
Today we are asked to play a leading part in bringing The
nations Of the earth together i'll a mutual understanding that
they may 1--we together. trade and do business together in peace
and harmony, just as the states were brought together a cen
fury ago.
1t is a noble part that America is called upon 10 take in
this great advancement in civilization. But, thanks to the
s%elfshness and jealousy Of the Republicans in the United States
senate, if their party cannot get al. the credit for this achieve
ment, they are determined 10 prevent America from leading
the way,
But there is yet hope. The multiplying treaty as Lodge
would have had it has been killed. The treaty Of Versailles.
the treaty that holds The hope of the world still lives.
Other nations are adopting it. Civilization will go for
ward without us. Other nations will begin to trade one with
another and commerce will grow and expand; only the United
States, thanks to the pettlness of Senator Lodge and the Re-
publcans in the senate, will remain at war with Germany and
fall behind, losing her opportunity not only TO play a leading
part in the worlds history, but denying to the business of the
country the advantages that the business men of the other
nations are enjoying.
With the Lodge treaty defeated, it remains to be seen
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