The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE.

1t unworthy of prominent and patriotic Americans to
to abuse in discussing the proposed league of ma
TONS The object of all decent Americans is to promote
the welfare of the country and the world There are
many ways of doing this and all citizens have right to
point out how in their opinion method may be bet
ter than another Any method proposed must run the
gantet of keen scrutiny by every American who cares
to apply his mind to the matter If it cannot gain the
approval of majority, it must fall matter how prom
nent its supporters or how energetcay other nations
may try to induce the United States to adopt it.
The project of the league of nations outlined is
subject to amendment of The President does not
dream of agreeing upon something in Paris which cannot
be changed and perfected by the United States senate
If the United States joins in league of nations it will do
so in good faith giving its heart and soul to the union
The suggestion that joining the league is not important
because Congress repudate whenever it peases is
the counsel of treachery and dishonor. That is not
American.
The core of any league of nations plan is the subst
tuition of partnership for the present independent Amer
lean government The United States constituted
nation absolutely independent in its relations subject to
friendships and sympathes 1t is not bound to help any
other nation excepting has voluntarily decided to
give help. It's guardianship over this hemisphere is a
sefmposed task and the time, manner and extent OF
executing its task decided solely by the United States
itself without consulting any other nation Its Monroe
doctrine is exclusive barring out all other nations from
any share in maintaining the pricpe of free republican
government in this hemisphere. Even South American
nations are not consulted by the United States in deciding
what it will do.
If the United States should join the league of nations
under the proposed constitution of the league the indie
pendence of this in its relations with all other
governments would be at an end and the will of the
United States would be determined by executive
council Of nine in which the United States would have
but one vote The United States would not decide for
itself when to go to maintain neutrality 1t
could not use its own methods and choose its time
for asserting its guardianship this hemisphere and
against any European aggression. This nation, instead
of choosing it's own road would be party to all
all international quarres all territorial and political dis
putes throughout the world But it would not be para
mount in judging what necessary to the liberty
of the western hemisphere If the league should always
be harmonious and successful prevent wars the United
States would be minor figure in world partnership.
If the league should be unsuccessful in preventing war
the United States would be of the chief burden bear
ers, wherever might break out
The question for Americans to decide whether it is
advisable and necessary change the structure of the
United States government order to create league OF
nations league without power to compel this nation
and all other members to cooperate in war would moi
be effective and no one desires ineffective league
Therefore, the independence of each nation must be
ced on this point and each nation must that the
league shall determine the question of war.
Since it impossible for the president and the senate
to change the structure of the government by transfer
ring from it to an international league the power to de-
clare war; will be necessary for the people to alter the
government if they desire to join that kind of league
The nation cannot be both independent and partner
The people, in creating the government, decided that
should be independent In the document under which
presidents and congresses execute the peoples will it
clearly stated by the people why they constituted tn
government 1t to form perfect union, estab
fish justice insure domestic tranquility and secure tn
blessings of liberty to themselves and their postery.
If the people now believe that these desirable ends ant
the welfare of the world best be served by making
the United States one of group of nations instead
a single independent nation they have perfect RICH
to change the government accordingly But no one els
has that right 1t waste of time for presidents an
senates to try change the nature of the government
Washington Post.
Why is it that after you have already accumulated
dozen bue-striped shirts you to find any