Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-01-02


and the center and characteristic OF
the old order was that unstable thing
which we used to call the balance or
power a thing in which the balance
was determined by the sword which
was thrown in on the one side or the
other, balance which was determined
by the unstable equilibrium OF COM
petitive interests, balance which was
maintained by jealous watchfulness
and an antagonism of interests which,
though it was generally latent, was al
ways deep seated.
British Leaders Agree.
''The men who have fought in this
war have been the men from the free
nations who are determined that that
sort of thing should end now and for
ever. 1t is very interesting to me to
observe how. from every quarter, from
every sort of mind, from every con-
cert of counsel there comes the sug-
gestiot that there must now be not a
balance of power, not one powerful
group of nations set up against an
other, but a single, overwhelming pow
erfu. group Of nations who shall be
the trust of the peace of the
world.
ut has been delightful in my con-
ferences with the leaders of your gov
eminent to find how our minds moved
along exactly the same line and how
our thought was always that the key
to the peace was the guarantee of the
peace, not the items of it; that the
items would be worthless unless there
stood back of them permanent con-
cert of power for their maintenance.
That is the most reassuring thing that
has ever happened in the world.
Plan Now Practical.
"When this war began the thought
of 1eageu of nations was indulgently
considered as the interesting thought
Of closeted students 1t was thought
of as one Of those things that it was
right to characterize by name which,
as university man, | have always re-
scented. 1t was said to be academic, as
if that in itself were Il condemnation
something that men could think
about but aver get.
'NoW we find the practical leading
minds Of the world determined to
get it.
''NO such sudden and potent union
Of purpose has ever been witnessed in
the world before. Do you wonder,
therefore, gentlemen, that in common
with those who represent you | am
eager to get at the business and write
the sentences down? And that 1 am
particularly happy that the ground is
cleared and the foundation laid-fOr
we have already accepted the same
body of principles. Those principles
are clearly and definitely enough
stated to make their application a
matter which should afford no funda-
mental difficulty
Silence All Threats.
"And back Of us is that imperative
yearning of the world to have all dis
turbing questions quoted, to have all
threats against peace sifencer, to
have just men everywhere come to-
gether for q common object.
"The peoples of the world want
peace and they want it now, not mere
ly by conquest Of arms but by agree
ment of mind.
1T was this iEcomparably great OBJ
ject that brought me overseas.
y
eXcusable for Il president Of the
United States to leave the territory
of the United States, but | know that
[ have the support Of the Judgment
of my colleagues in the government
of the United States in saying that it
was my paramount duty to turn away
even from the imperative tasks at
home to lend such counsel and aid as.
| could to this great, may | not say
final, enterprise Of humanity"
Breaking OF Precedent.
In his speech at the lord mayors
luncheon at Mansion house, President
Wilson said:
'Mr. Lord Mayer, your royal high
ness, your grace, ladies' and gentle
men. You have again made me feel,
sir the very wonderful and generous
welcome Of this great city and YOU
have reminded me Of what has per
haDs become one of the habits of my
life.
''YOu have said that | have broken
all precedentS in coming across the
ocean to join in the cOunsels of the
peace conference, but | think those
who have been associated with me in
Washington will testify that that is
nothing surprising. I said to the
members of the press in Washington
one evening that one Of the things
that had interested me most since !
lived in Washington was that every
time | did anything perfectly natural
it was said to be unprecedented.
''It was perfectly natural to break
this precedent natural because the
demand for intimate conference took
precedence over every other duty.
And, after all, the breaking of prece-
dents, though this may sound strange
doctrine in England, is the most SEN
sible thing to do. The harness of