Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-03-06

labors, we will know that we have
left written upon the historic table
at Versailles, upon which Vergennes
aid Benjamin Franklin wrote their
names, nothing but modern scrap
OF paper; no nations united to defend
1t, no great forces combined to make
1t good, no assurances given to the
down-trodden and fearful people Of
the world that they shall be safe.
ANY man who thinks that Ameri-
ca will take part in giving the world
any such rebuff and disappointment
as that does not know America.
Ready for Challenge.
Il invite him to test the sentiments
of the nation. We set this league up
to make men free and we do not con-
fine our conception and purpose to
America and now we will make men
free. If we did not do that the fame
Of America would be gone and all her
people would be disappointed. She
then would have to keep her power
for those narrow, selfish, provincial
purposes which seem so dear to some
minds that have no sweep beyond the
nearest point.
lenge than that. / have fighting
blood in me and 1t is sometimes q de-
light to let it have scope, but If It is
challenge on this occasion it will
be an indulgence. Think OF the pic
ture. think Of the utter blackness that
would fall on the world. America has
failed. America made little essay
at generosity and then withdrew.
America said: We are your friends
but 1t was only for today, not for to-
morrow. America said: There is
our power to vindicate right and
then the next day said: Let right
take care of itself and we will take
care of ourselves America said:
We set up light to lead men along
the paths of liberty, but we have
lowered It, It is intended only to
light our own path We set up q
great ideal of liberty and then we
said: Liberty is thing that you
must win for yourself. Do not call
upon u.s. and Xix Of the world that
we would leave.
What 1t Would Mean.
DO you realize how many new ma
tions are going to be set up in the
presence of old and powerful nations
in Europe and left there, if left by us,
without disinterested friend behind
their liberty?
"Have you thought of the suffering
Of Armenia? You poured out your
money to help succor the Armenians
after they suffered; now set your
strength so that they shall never suf-
fer again.
"The arrangements of the present
peace cannot stand generation I'M
less they are guaranteed by the unit
ed forces of the civilized world. And
il we do not guarantee them, can you
not see the picture? Your hearts
have instructed you where the burden
Of this war fell. It did not fall upon
the national treasures, it did not fall
upon the instruments Of administra-
ton, it did not fall upon the re-
sources of the nations. It fell upon
the victims homes everywhere, where
women were tofling in hope that their
men would come back.
When think Of the homes upon
which dull despair would settle were
this great hope disappointed, should
wish for my part never to have had
America play any part whatever in
this attempt to emancIpate the world.
But talk as il there were any ques-
ton. have no more doubt of the
verdict of America In this matter than
I have doubt Of the blood that is in
me.
Will Not Fail.
"And SO, my fellow citizens, q have
come back to report progress, and
do not believe that the progress is
going to stop short of the goal. The
nations of the world have set their
heads now to do great thing. and
they are not going to slacken their
purpose.
"And when ! speak of the ma
tions Of the world do not speak
Of the governments Of the world.
! speak of the peoples who con.
stitute the nations Of the world.
They are in the saddle and they are
going to see to It that If their pres
ent governments do not do their
will, some other governments shall.
And the secret is out and the pres
ent governments know it.
There is great deal of harmony
to be got out of common knowledge.
"There is great deal of sympa-
thy to be got out of listening in the
same atmosphere and except for the
differences Of languages, which puz-
zled my American ear very sadly,
could have believed was at home in
France or in Italy or in England
when was on the streets, when
was in the presence of the crowds,
when was in great halls where men
were gathered together irrespective
Of class. did not feel quite as much
at home as ! do here, but felt that
now at any rate, after this storm of
war had cleared the air. men were
seeing eye to eye everywhere and that
these were the kind of folks who
would understand what the kind Of
folks at home would understand and
that they were thinking the same
things.
Il feel about you as am reminded
OF story OF the excellent wit and
good artist, Oliver HEREFORD, who one
day, sitting at luncheon at his club.