New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-02-24

against alliances with foreign pow
ers which the United States was
forced to disregard when we went to
war with Germany. It is claimed by
certain congressm en- that the constl-
tuition Of the Society of Nations, If
ratified, will set at naught Washing
toms recommendation in this respect
That is q matter of personal opinion
During the World War we have
frequently heard it said that the
United States entered the conflict for
the purpose of preserving Democracy
and the question has been asked
why should we spend billions of dol
lars and sacrifice thousands of lives
for this object? Washington an
swered that question years ago. In
his first inaugural address he said:
THE preservation of the sacred fires
of Liberty and the destiny of the re-
publican form of government are just
" considered, perhaps, staked on the
experimen intrusted to the hands of
the American people, From that
moment America was commissioned
the leader in the cause of Democracy.
And it did not shrink, did not falter.
when the big test came.
1T is especially interesting to read
Washington's reply when he was mott
fed by Charles Thomson on April IA,
1889. that he had been elected presi
dent. Among other things he said:
Upon considering how long q time
some of the gentlemen of both houses
Of congress have been at New York,
how anxiously DESTROYS they must be
to proceed to business, cannot find
myself at liberty to delay my Journey
1t is to be remarked that the congress
of that day was 'anxiously DESTROYS to
proceed to business Congresses have
changed
ALTHOUGH America had disagree
ments with France during Washing
toms administration, he ever had a
tender rega I'd and firm friendship for
that country which sent us so many
noble patriots to assist us in our
fight for liberty. When he heard of
the death of the French kings son,
he sent a message of sorrow to the
United States senate, saying: The
generous conduct Of the French mon
arch and mis- nation toward this coun-
trv renders every event that may ar
feet his or their prosperity interesting
to US 1t was the spirit OF Washing
ton that beckoned US on 10 the aid Of
stricken France in the World War.
It was the spirit of Washington that
guided the hand of Woodrow Wilson
when he signed the resolution declar-
ing lis to be in q state of war with
Germany. And it was the spirit Of
Washington speaking when General
John J. Pershng. standing before the
tomb of Lafayette, said Lafayette,
we are here
"Times and men are forever chang
ing. We have heard much recently
Of secret diplomacy and there has
been hue and cry for an unlocking
Of the doors, and Justly so. But Sc
cret diplomacy was not an evil in
Washington time. In fact it was
quite fashionable. 1t seems to be a
coin incidence that the most serious dis
pute between Washington and a, con-
gressional body was over secret di-
pIomacy.' After Washington had
signed q treaty with England. the
house Of representatives demanded
that he lay before it copy of the
instructions to the American minister
who assisted in negotiating the treaty.
AS YOU know, the house of represent
tatives has nothing to do with nego-
tiating or ratiEying treaties. Wash
inerton was a peaceful man, but he
was not too proud to fight and he
snapped his fingers at the house of
representati1 es replying: The nature
Of foreign negotiations requires cau~
tion and their success must often de-
mend on secrecy; and even when
hroue1,t to a conclusion q, full <liSclos-
IRE of all the measures, demands or
eventual concessions which MAY have
been proposed or contemplated might
he extremely impolitic.' I don't know
whether Major Whittlesey of the Lost
battalion is a descendant Of George