The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1919-01-02

the m m mt, Us t%S1n' i've al Inc
congress, Lord CastIereagh, gave no
thought to America as tvan the remot'
est factor in the proceedings Of the
conference. Ten years later Monroe
was 10 startle Europe With a warning
that compelled a recognition Of grow
ing power across the Atlantic that
might be dangerous to European az
grandizement, but that was still TO
come and when it did come it had no
bearing upon European geography nor
upon European policies as they related
to Europe. And for nearly century
the United States was still to stand in
remote isolation, growing more and
more powerful aud more respected, and
yet unconsidered by Europe as an in
i1ence in its political affairs, which, Of
course, vas entirely in accord with
American desires. America did not
want to have anything to do with Eu-
rope politically. Il wished to preserve
friendly diplomatic relations and to cul'
tivale reciprocal trade with Europe,
but politically it preferred, and was de-
termined, to stand alooi.
But by a strange act Of destiny
America has been thrown violently into
a European struggle to become its de-
Gliding factor, and by the same destiny
it has been made the deciding Influence
in the settlement Of the issues growing
out OF the struggle. We think there
is nothing quite so wonderful in human
history as this spectacle Of America
taking so high place on the judgment
seat Of the nations, and taking it not
by right OF might but By might otright.
She takes it at the solicitation Of the
nations, foes as well as friends, and
she comes TO it with the affection, the
admiration, even the veneration, Of the
peorl,s to most Of whom, but few
years ago, she was only name. And
this new position o. ours in the aft lirs
OF Europe and Of the world brings
withitrespnnsibilities as we'll as honorS.
america cannot return TO It's lotmer
isolation even il il would. America
has ever gone forward, never backward
lis whole hist ny has been training
and a preparation for the place it now
achieves. 1t has been given spiritual
power and material power TO fit it Tor
the influence it now wields in the larger
relations of mankind. But ioI the
great potentially OF its material power
1t cou d not exercise the spiritual in
fiIeDce that is so strong force in the
settlement Of the great problems ol
this tims. A weak America could
pipe its song 10 the winds, unheard By
men. But Americo, great in popula'
tion, great in wealth, great in resources,
great in energetic action, speaks with a
voice that was heard even above the
thunderings Of war and that is gladly
listened to in the quietude Of peace.
These powers have not been given US
for our enrichment or aggran6izement,
but for a larger purpose. We shall
continue TO rise il we use them rightly,
we shall fall if We do not. They among
US who would have US turn our eyes
inward, who would have US draw into
our she'll for sell.communion, are ad-
vocating a course OF certain national
decay. We are in the world aud Of it,
AID we must associate ourselves with
others and make full use OF our powers
for the advancement Of the world. To
this end destiny has fixed our course
from the beginning. We betray the
purpose OF our existence il We refuse
to follow i,.-Globe Democfat.