The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-09

| II. There are many easy and practicable
methods. One would be for the interna-
tionalists TO nominate candidates for
President and Vice-President on the sin
gle Issue Of American nationalism versus
mongrel internationalism. That election
would settle the question for all time 10
come. We challenge them to that simple
trial OF battle.
But. MOI They decline such con-
test. Trust them. they say--buy a pig
In poke. According to their way OF
procedure secret diplomacy Is the true
method. after all, for the settlement OF
the destinies OF nations-frame UP a
scheme in secret. and then rush II
through in haste. Is this the course OF a
free people? II this the manner OF a
righteous causeA
IF the debate that preceded our Dec
laration of Independence ragged for al
most a decade before the revolution; II
the debate over the meaning of the Con-
stitution as TO the powers Of the nation
and the rights OF the States lasted for
generations and Is not yet ended: II a
single phase OF tho debate over State
and national rights occupied years, Gull
minating in the immortal intellectual
combat between Stephen A. Douglass
and Abraham Lincoln: IL every great
question in every free country has re-
thought before the people could reach a
conclusion upon IT. should not this. the
biggest, deepest and most far reaching
proposal ever made to the American peo-
pie. also receive careful and extended
public examination? Yet. although every
other great question has taken years and
decades for tho people to decide. this ter
rife scheme Is to be TANNED through a
single session of Congress and the people
are not to be allowed even to express.
constitutionally, any opinion whatever
upon II.
Fortunately for democracies, at
every dsterrninative point OF their des-
tiny God raises ZIP prophets and leaders
Of the people. So came Patrick Henry,
so came Henry Clay, so came Wendell!
Phillips, so came Abraham Lincoln. Al
though wnen they spoke these men had
against them the important and infiuen-
tial men and all the great interests or
their day, yet each Of them became, in
his time, the voice OF America.
I'm like manner and under similar
circumstances to-day come Senator
Lodge, Senator Knox and those other
gle rious advocates of Americas cause,
both Democrats and Republicans. than
whom no ADLER, drawer, truer Americans
sver upheld the standard of the repub-
lie"
Thomas Seeks High Plane.
Senator Thomas said
"Once We have cast the die there can
be no returning. we shall find ourselves
upon an uncharted sea bound upon a
voyage the end OF which no man may
clearly perceive. am a believer in
some sort OF an understanding, call it
a league or what you will, that will
y
found regard for those from whom l
unfortunately differ upon this PROPOSE
ton. know that those from whom l
differ. il the experiences OF my life
constitute a test, are as earnest and
sincere and acbuated by motives as pure
as any which ] myself can entertain.
and I hope that throughout the discus
sion of this mighty question we will
keep il above the level of personalities
and seek to determine independently of
disturbing elements except those which
are essential to its proper considera-
ton"
II want to support the President OF
the United States. The party TO which
l belong elected him. I was elected on
the same platform and at the same time.
II is my political duty wherever posi-
BILE to stand by his side and aid in his
administration. I have done so wher-
ever possible. but I have been unable to
do so on two occasions of which this
Is by far the most important. I have
read and reread the draft of this lea que.
I ask this audience how many have read
this document
A few held up their hands.
America First, Borah'a stand.
Senator Borsh was introduced amid
cries of What about the Irish ques-
tion?" He called the league the most
vital question submitted to the American
people since the ratification Of the Con-
stitution
81 feel however he said. that this
question is now in a fair way to be
solved. and solved rightly and justly.