The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-09

which may arise In Europe or in the
cast.
"If a clear duty shall summon US
believe that America can be depended
upon to respond. But We should not be
led into the creation of an obligation for
which there Is no Just basis. or assume
responsibilities which we may not here
after be inclined fully to discharge.
We do. however. desire that our Just
influence. eXerted in any proper way.
shall he thrown on the side OF the in
dependence OF Armenia We are
peculiarly sensitive to her appeal and
We desire for her the prosperous future
to which the industry and genius OF
her people entitle her. We are sure
, that she will have this future IL she
be given a reasonable opportunity. and
with that purpose In view we desire
that there be a state of independence
with as little external influence as is
compatible with her proper security from
oppression and unjust exploitation"
Right to Freedom Earned.
After declaring that the Armemians
had earned the right to be independent,
Mr.. Bryan said:
"Of all the nations of the earth none
should he so ready as the United states
to extend recognition and speak the
! word of welcome because ours is the
greatest and most successful OF re-
publics. For lao years 1t has admins
tered its Government In accordance
with a written constitution and the
adoption during that time OF eighteen
amendments shows its ability to mould
| its organic law TO suit its advancing
needs These amendments also prove
the steady march Of its people toward
| p,,I 4
| that approximation toward Justice
! which is the object OF popular govern
| ment
| "Our nation has taught the world how
to secure progress without blood1hed.
: II has made revolution unnecessary by
making evolution easy. We have,
| through agitation and constitutional re-
! vision. secured reforms which were for
merly obtainable only, at the cost OF
blood and treasure When the Supreme
| Court annulled a statutory income tax
the people undertook to change their
| Constitution so as to specifically author
ize an income"tax, and they succeeded
though II required eighteen years OF
patient effort.
| when they became convinced that
alcohol was a habit forming drug and
+, injurious to those who use Il as we'll as
! TO those dependent upon the users they
arose In their might and by constitu-
tional amendment proceeded to Danish
this arch enemy from the land"
Mr., Bryan referred to tho constitu-
ttonal amendment providing for the pop
| ula.r election OF United States Senators
and said one extending the franchise to
women was about to be passed. II was
then that he urged one for national
| initiative and referendum.
Best in 1000 Years.
! "our theory of government. all in
| d!ssoluble union of indestructiole States
is the greatest invention In government
the world has known in a thousa nd
years. II would have been a disgrac CO
| TO us and a blow to our form Of gov.
eminent IT, when our republic was
brought face to face with an autocratiC
! Government, the result had been such
| as to justify any historian in saving
that the oppressed subjects of an ambi,
| tious Kaiser were more loyal to their
Government than were the free citizens
OF this republic to officials whom they
| themselves had chosen and 20 a, GOV.
eminent which had given themf NOR.
blessings than any other citizens have
ever enjoyed
our nation is in a position TO DE the
worlds teacher in democracy because il
| has itself lived up to ite teachings II
does not ask whether people are capab l.
/ OF self government. ii declares that they
are. Our example has inspired hop,
| throughout the world. Because our
people fought for liberty others hav,
fought for it because our people
, adopted a constitution others hay.
adopted constitutions. and the innuenc,
| spreads
"Our nation has become the mothel
republic. ! might compare its inhu
! ence in the western hemisphere to the
| bsLyan tree. Our influence has rea chez
out until 1t has touched nation after ma
lion. and those nations. rooted in tn,
soil, have become supports OF the mother
tree. Our influence has extended across
| the Pacific and China has adopted q
| constitution IKE ours. Our example hs.
called republics into existence through
| out Europe, why not a republic in tn,
land where the ark rested--the land
| that gave US the olive branch as the
| symbol OF peace"
sa id, that the 100000 Armenians in thu
United States should be our ambassa
doris to carry not only our geetinss bu
| our ideals to their brethren in Armenia
Because Of the many races living with
in the limits probably set for the re
public OF Armenia Mr.. Bryan sug
gested that the Government 70 be estab
lished there agree to purchase at 1t,
present value all property, real ard per
sonal belonging to any one OF anothe
race who does not wish 10 I've under tn,
new Government.