Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-02-28

to fail the world, what would come O
1t? do not mean any disrespect u
any other great people when l say
That America is the nope of the world
and II she does not justify that hope
the results are unthinkable. Men
will be thrown back upon the bitter
ness of disappointment not only, but
the bitterness of despair.
"Scrap Of Paper"
Suppose we sign the treaty OF
peace and that 1t is the most salts
factory treaty Of peace that the con-
fusing elements Of the modern world
will afford, and go home and think
about our labors. we will know that
We have left written upon the historic
table at Versailles, upon which Yer
gennes and Benjamin Franklin wrote
their names, nothing but a modern
scrap OF paper; no Nations united to
defend 1t, no great forces combined
to make 1t good, no assurance given
TO the down trodden and fearful peo-
pie OF the world that they shall be
safe. Amy man who thinks that Am
erica will take part in giving the
world any such rebuff and disap-
pointment as that does not know Am
erica.
Il invite him to test the sentiments
OF the Nation. We set this Nation up
lo make men free, and we did not
conf1ne our conceptions and purpose
TO America, and now we will make
men free. II we did OF do that all
the fame Of America would be gone
and all her power would be dissi-
pated.
SHE would then have to keep her
honor for those narrow, selfish, pro-
vlncial purposes which seem so dear
10 some minds that have no sweep
beyond the nearest horizon.
II should welcome no sweeter chal-
lenge than that. l have fighting
blood In me, and it is sometimes a
delight to let 1t have scope, but il 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 a little
essay at generosity and then with
crew America said, We are your
friends, but it was only for today,
not for tomorrow. America said,
Here 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
IL, 1t is intended only to light our own
path We set up great ideal OF lib
erty, and then we said, Liberty is a
thing that you must win for yourself
DO not call upon us, and thing OF
the word that we would leave.
DO you realize how many Nations
are going to be set up in the presence
OF old and powerful Nations in Eur
ope and left there, II left by us, with
out a disinterested friend?
Belief In Poles -
DO you believe in the Polish cause
as l do? Are you going to set up
Poland, immature, inexperienced, as
yet unorganized, and leave her with
q circle Of armies around her? Do
you believe in the aspiration of the
Czecho- SloVaks on the Jugo-
Slavs as do! Do you know how
many powers would be quick to
pounce upon them if there were not
the guarantees OF the world behind
their liberty?
Have you thought of the suffer
lngs OF Armenia? You poured out
your money to help succor the Ar
menians after they suffered; now set
up your strength 80 that they shall
never suffer again.
Need United Force
The arrangements OF the present
peace. cannot stand a generation, un-
ess they are guaranteed by the unit
ID forces OF the civilized world. And
4 We do not guarantee them, cannot
you see the picture? Your hearts
have instructed you whhere the bur
len Of this war fell 1t did not fall
lpon the National treasures; ii did
lot fall upon the instruments OF ad-
it did not fall upon the
'esources Of the Nations. II fell up
IN the viceless homes everywhere
where women we're toling in hope
hat their men would come back.
Back to Report Progress
And so, my fellow citizens, | have
ome back to report progress, and :
10 not believe that the progress is 7
DING to stop short Of the goal. The
Nations Of the world have set their r
reads now to do great thing, and they [
re not going to slacken their pur f
'ose. And when | speak OF the Ma
IONS Of the world / do not speak !
Z the orld. | speak OF the peoples a
mo constitute the Nations Of the S
yorld. They are In the saddle and \
hey are going to see to It that II II