The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-07-31
GRONNA OPPOSES
NATIONS LEAGUE

NAHUM DLEAUUL
Washington, July 1s.The fol-
lowing statement by United States
Senator AISLE ]. Gronna was given out
today through the Republican Public
ity association:
have often been asked the ques-
ton: Shall the American Spirit Of
1776, die? To this query have an
sswered, No. and now repeat most
emphatically that such thing can
not be possible, especially at time
when the American soldier has Just
won the plaudits of the world for his
patriotigy courage, and unselfsh-
ness I'D ready in the future
as we hav. De past, to demand
race.
1T must not be thoue ...,t, be-
cause we love justice and III ,nd
are willing that all the people me
earth shall share in the blessings Of
freedom and free institutions, we are
ready to surrender any Of our own
sovereignty and independence. We
are not willing to destroy our Amer
ican constitution and laws, or sur
render our American doctrines
founded by the fathers, as these are
still regarded the most precious heri-
tage we have.
Il cannot believe that the Ameri-
can people are willing that the fund
amental laws Of our land shall be so
changed that the power now lodged
in the hands of the people and Of
congress shah be transferred to all
executive codncil consisting mostly
of citizens Of foreign lands, such as
is proposed in the covenant Of the So
called proposed constitution for a
league of nations.
For many weary months we have
been praying for a treaty of peace;
we have been ready and willing to
vote for just, honorable, and last
ing peace; but to obtain this treaty
and adopt it, it should not be neces-
:sary to bind our own government to
obligations which would take from
us our own sovereign rights. We
should not assume the burden of
guaranteeing the territorial integ-
rity of all hother nations, large and
small, and of policing the world for
all time to come, unless we are ready
to say that our American soldiers
from now on shall be kept not on
American soil alone, but that ! a
standing army composed Of American
soldiers shall be kept continuously
upon foreign soil.
Personally, I am an advocate Of
peace, and despise war, but / be-
ieve that the proposed constitution
for a league of nations, if ratified by
US, would be the means Of involving
our government in continuous trou-
bic and in frequent wars.
Our declaration Of Independence
and the constitution Of the United
States were the outgrowth of the
American spirit Of 1776. The Declar-
alton Of independence sets forth the
fundamental principles and the
right Of man in language. so plain
that it seems it cannot be misunder-
stood or misinterpreted. The right
of self-government and the inherent
right Of man to institute a govern
ment in full harmony with the views
Of it's own people, are so ,vividly por-
.trayed in the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence that those who believe in
these sacred and fundamental prin-
,ciples can easily understand them.
The proposed covenant would
not be the means of promoting peace
because it does not limit nor does
it propose to reduce armainents, but
it does provide that armament may
be increased by the powerful and
strong nations. It robs the people
of the smaller nations Of their most
sacred heritage, namely, the right to
institute a foEm Of government in
accordance with their own views.
eve must not overlook the fact
that some Of the greatest and most
beneficial reforms have been brought
about by revolutions, and these revo-
lutions have never. been brought
about by men in high places, but
have always been brought about by
men in the ordinary walks Of life
and by those who have been appres-
""Shall we now, at this momentous
hour, after this terrible war and the
Sstudendous sacrifices we have made
in blood and treasure, build up q
world Of autocracy I. which would
make it impossible for the oppressed
to break away from social, economic,
or. commercial slavery? Shall we
take from the American people the
right to control their own affairs and
leave their destiny to the mercy Of
an executive council composed maina
" Of aliens or citizens Of foreign
lands !? Are we ready to surrender
our sovereignty and our American
rights, and leave it to . council com. n!.
zens Of other lands, to decide upon
the questions Of vital interest con-
cerning American ideals and Ameri-
can institutions?
81 am opposed TO this covenant be-.
cause i believe that it will not pro-
mote peace, but breed war; l am ops
posed to it because it takes from the