Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-11

quarters of the globe. we were to Ienl
with 1t was universally recos nizcd
that America had entered The war to
promote no private or peculiar inter
est OF her own. but only as the cham
pion of rights which she was glad to
snare with free men and lovers of JUS
tee everywhere. We had formulated
The principles upon which the armi-
legs OF Peace undertaken. and no one
doubted that our desire was to see the
treaty Of peace formulated along the
esirss sns 81 s s1se sncpiss sna
coined as d;sinterested friends. We
were resorted to as arbifers in many a
our material aid would be indtspens
able In the days to come. when indus
try and credit would have to be brought
back TO their normal operation aga In
and communities beaten TO the ground
assisted 10 their feet once more. and
II was taken for granted. | am proud
friend III these things ms in all others.
withoui prejudice or favor. We were
generously accepted as the unaffected
champions of what was right. 1t was
4 very responsible role to play. but l
am happy TO report that the fine group
o. Americans who helped with their
settlements sought in every transac-
ton to justify the high confidence re-
posed in them.
America nj Her Majority.
IL
lis the measure of our opportunity and
Of our duty i'm the days to come. in
which the new hope Of the peoples
pointed. The fact that America is the
friend of The nations. whether they be
rivals or associates. is no new fact.
rest OF the world that is new.
America may. be said To have just
reached her majority as world power.
1t was almost exactly twenty-one years
ago that the result OF the war With
Spain put us Unexpectedly in posses
sion OF rich islands on the other side OF
ton with other governments in the
control of the West Indies. 1t was
regarded az sinister and oninous
thing by the statesmen of more than
one European chancel!ory that we
should have extended our power be-
yond the confines of our continental
think of new neiyhbors as new
menace. of rivals as watchful as enc
mics. There were persons amongst us
at home who looked with deem diaap,-
proval and avowed anxiety on such
extension OF our national authority
over distant islands and over peoples
not serve and assist. But We have not
exploited them. We have been their
friends and have sought to serve them.
And on rdominion has been menace
to no other nation We redeemed our
honor to the utmost in our dea Es
with Cuba. She is weak. but absolutely
,t,s i,er Tree
Weak peoples everywhere stand
ready to give US any authority among
them that will assure, them like
friendly oversight and direction. They
know that there is no ground for fear
in receiving us as their mentors and
guides. Our isolation was ended
US Is ended also, our counsel and ntso-
citation sought after md desired.
There can he no, question OF our cea sin &
TO be world bower. The only quca-
ton is whether we can refuse tho
moral leadership that is offered MS.
whether we shall accept or reject the
confidence OF the world.
Answered Cpu OF Duty.
The war and the conference OF peace
now sitting in Paris seem To have
answered that question. Our partici-
patton In the war established our posi-
tion among the nations. and nothing
hut our own mistaken action can alter
it II was not an accident or matter
Of sudden choice that we are no longer
Isolated and devoted to a policy which
has only our own interest and advant-
age for its object. 1t was our duty
to go in, If we were indeed the cham
pions Of liberty and of right We an
swered to- the call of duty in a way
go spirited. so utterly without thought
of what we spent o. blood or tres sure.
So effective. SO worthy OF the. admira-
wrought out OF the stun OF all that
was heroic, that the whole world saw
ut last In the flesh. In noble action, y
great ideal asserted and vindicated BY
g. nation they, had deemed material
spiritual forces that must free men of
every nation from every unworthy