South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-19
Other Editors Than Ours
ALEXANDER HAMILTON REPORTS THE FIGHT
AGAINST THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
(By Claude @. Bowers.)

(By Claude G. Bowers)
Alexander Hamilton knew the breed that
engaged in the task OF capalizng all the preJudices
horn Of anu-American feeling or of ignorance,
the peace treaty negotiated BY Wilson
10 his lasting renown.
The same breed existed in the days of Hamilton.
asserted itself by almost the methods against
Jay and his treaty and insulted and Missed the name
of Washington precisely Wilson's name
Kissed in some quarters and insulted
And Hamilton had his opinion this breed
its methods, and happily expressed himself in
language that applies perfectly to the situation of
today.
1t is only to consult the history OF nations 10
perceive that every country all times is cursed
by the existence of men VINO, actuated by ir-
regular ambition, scruple nothing which they
imagine will contribute TO their advancement
and Importance.
1T was to have been expected that such men,
counting the passions than the
of their fellow citizens and anticipating that the
treaty would have to struggle with prejudces
would be disposed to make alliance with popu-
lar discomfort, to noursh it. and to it into
service of their particular views"
Evidently the putrid professional politician has no.
changed greatly since he attempted to befoul
name of washington. If one single sentence has
been uttered against the League of Nations in
tended appeal to prejudice from the lying
assertion that Prest Wilson could have forced the
recognition of Irish independence to Larry Sher-
mans solemn warning that the league is sinister
because the pope will dominate it, we have not seen
it.
But Hamilton goes on:
1T also known beforehand that personal
and party rivalshps of the active kind would
assa whatever treaty might be made TO disgrace,
II possible, its organ"
And party rvaIships were busy TO discredit
WASHINGTON party rivalships busy to
discredit Wilson Trying then as now TO disgrace.
if possible. its organ" Verify should felt
very much at home in washiugton's day.
But Hamilton evidently knew Lodges ard
Reeds in his time for he says
Upon such a occasion the treaty, could
it happen otherwise thar that personal enmty
would be unusually busy, enterprlsiug and mas ,
nant2"
1t is clear from the following that Hamilton from
his knowledge OF Washinston's experience could
have warned Wilson of opposition to the ratihcatoT
OF his league
From the combined operations Of these differeny
it would have been a vain expectation that
the treaty would re generally contemplated with
candOr and moderation, or that reason would reeu-
the first impressions concerning it. 1t
certain on the contrary that however exceptional
its true character might he, IL would have to fight
way through a mass of unreasonable oPpOsi-
ton"
How amazingly The stories correspond Just take
this from Hamilton:
Before il was published larse. a sketch, cal
produce false Impressions handed
10 the public through medium noted for
hostility administration the government
perfect description OF the interminable speeches
against the league in the senate before IL
given the world. And it seems too that some
correspondent of some Chicago Tribune turned over
TO Borah and Lodge uncompleted or false
copy of the treaty. and that it given out then
as the other day through a medium noted for hos
tity the administration"
But the parallel is not complete. Take this:
''Enisssries through the country. spreading
alarm and discomfort: the leaders OF clubs were
everywhere active the passions of the peo-
pie. and pre-Occupy their judgments against the
treaty"
Haven't had Borah, Lodge. johnson, Reed
Watson. New. Hearst Beck. Biz Thompson and
Billy Mason flying through the country spreading
alarms and discomfort? Haven't of the leaders
OF clubs. such OF the professional politicians
racial clubs busy Selling the passions OF the
people and encouraging Kisses TO the president a.
Madison square Garden? Hasn't the Morton club
brought Borah. the who wouldn't follow Jesus
Christ" Fort wayne?
the motive then appears to have been the
same
1T cannot be doubted that the cal motive to the
opposition the fear or discussion; the desire
OF excluding light. the adherence 10 a plan OF sur
prise and deception Nor need desire any
fuller proof OF the spirit OF party which
ulated the opposition TO the treaty than is be
found ia the circumstances Of that opposition
The best evidence that the present opposition fears
public discussion is shown ways: First
ITS present anxiety something definite upon the
league quickly possible prevent the president
from discussing Il before the people and second
by its queer disposition decline the president >
offer discuss il before the foreign relations COM
1nittee OF the senate.
We wonder IL Sen Lodge. in the preparation OF
his Iife OF Hamilton. across this splendid
description OF the conspiracy OF which the man
from cold beef Boston IS the rinsleader.