Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-26
In America Is tho Hope of the World

THE Presidents Boston speech WAS moro
than IL heartening report on the progress
that is being made in clearing up the issues
before the peace conference; it was the stir
ring assurance of the universal trust OF the
peoples of Europe in the purity Of America
motives in entering the and its unscltish
purpose in trying to arrange just and last
ing peace settlement. Coupled with this as
surance was his clarion call to the American
people to broaden their vision and make ready
TO assume the larger duties which have de-
VOWED upon the nation by reason of its
participation in the greatest of all the
ages and the dominant position TO which it
thereby has been forced in world affairs Of
the future.
AS the President expressed it, with Amer
lcas entrance into the war all Europe had
an awakening an awakening different from
anything ever before experienced i'll its his
tory" And when they saw America not only
held ideals, but acted ideals, they were con
verified to America and became firm partisans
OF those ideals" Now that tile nations
OF Europe have become converts to these
ideals, the cause OF human rights and JUS
tice, they arc ready to so forward in q COM
mon spirit ana a common realization of the
necessity Of setting up new standards OF
right in the world. IF America were at this
5uncture to fail the world, what would como
OF it?" the President asks OF the great people
whom he went across the ocean 10 represent
in having the ideals which inspired them rec
ognizcd in the settlement OF the terms OF
peace. With dynamic energy and clear vision
he answers: Men will be thrown back upon
the bitterness Of disappointment, not only,
but the bitterness OF despair"
There be some among our biggest Drained
statesmen. men whose patriotism we have no
right to question, who will antagonizc and
bitterly assail the plan for Il league OF ma
tions which the President took so prominent
a part in drafting and getting unanimously
reported TO the peace conference. These
will urge that Americas present trusted
position before the whole world is ducl to the
fact that it has kept itself, in pursuance OF
its separate destiny and its own principles
OF righteous government, isolated, except
when forced into war. from the selfish po-
litical interests and accompanying animosi-
ties of Europe and promoted the cause OF
world democracy by attending to its own
business and becoming example for other
nations TO initiate. And in their attitude OF
opposition TO the league of nations plan, they
will find themselves supported by FREQUENT
solemn warnings against such entanglcments
by the wisest Of the founders Of our re-
public. Europe, wrote Washington in his
farewell address TO the American people has
IL set OF primary interests, which to us have
none. or very remote relation. Hence She
must be engaged in frequent controversies,
the causes of which are essentially foreign
TO our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must
be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by
artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudcs OF
her politics, or the ordinary combinations
and collisions Of her friendships or enmities
Our. detached and distant situation invites
and enables us TO pursue different course
President Wilson believes, as u host OF
Americans believe. that America, in tho PROV
lucnce or COD, has progressed to point OF
development in q marvellous career Of great
ness when she can longer in justice TO
her own ideals hold herself aloof from tho
present movement TO cmancipatc the world
from the horrors OF future wars; and with
ringing words he challenges the opposition 10
test the sentiment Of the American people
Tor he says, 81 have no more doubt of the
Verdlct OF America in this matter than !
nave doubt OF the blood that is in me-