The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-03-13


ity that requires so little to Improve
1t and found firmly now those .rela-
tions between peoples on a basis
worthy of our common humanity.
| But 1t Is surely a source of hope to
know that at Paris there is one man
at least who apparently realizes his
duty and who can accomplish what
he wills If he only remain stead dfastly
determined and true. The Machia-
vellis may scoff at him, but he ought
to know that he has the best Of man
kind everywhere at his back. Let
him but be bold enough to lead
straight on and that respectable por-
tion of mankind, the plain people.
whose spokesman he has been and
whose hearts he has. won. will be
ready to march with him to the rcalt-
zation Of their common dream.
Why should he hesitate to SEQ
that America 8 aims be accomplished
Were these aims not stated unequi-
less worthy now that triumph In In
sight? Are those who oppose 1t now
less the enemies of that cause than
those who were thought lately to OPP
pose 1t?
s@~ WHY Opposes
Why should any Of the statesmen
IN Paris even seek to oppose Presi-
dent Wilson in having the cause Of
justice upheld?
Have their statements not been al
most rs explicit as his?
Have they not WED with ons an
other in procaliming that the rights
ofESthe weak are no less than the
rights of the strong? -,
4# How can any OF them claim the
privilege of condoning wrongs7
Should they, attempt to do so, Pres
1ident Wilson should boldly save thsaa
from, themselves. -.
Wrong Is no less wrong because Il
happens to be one Of their own num-
ber that Is guilty Of 1t. II Presi-
dent Wilson should, by any chance.
prove too weak for his trust. he will
have all the less excuse because.
luckily, America Is strong enough
not to allow herself to be cheated.
She at any rate has no need to trtm-
bterwhen the British lion growls hts
'inttnidati ting warnings to those who
might disturb him at hts prey.
cannot believe that the president
will be weak or will allow himself
to be deferred from cutting away =
vicious canker at the core Of the nes
world order by the conventional dip
lomatic niceties that belonged to tho
ordeH which the blood OF millions was
shed to destroy.
But whether ireland be heard Or
not--whether the statesmen at Paris
stand forth as the most conspicuous
failures in history or not--the duty
Of Irishmen and the duty of all lovers
of liberty is clear. That duty LIS to
see that oversight cannot be pleaded
as an excuse. England tries to bind
and gag Ireland to throw her into OBJ
scurity as OF a dungeon.
1t is our duty to support all who
would lend a hand at loosing her.
We must strive at least to let In the
purifying light, to show Ireland as
she Is. struggling ever against the
slavery in which England would con-
fine her. lighting through centuries.
maintaining In blood and tears com
munion with all who fight for liberty
verywhere--battling for 1t as sAe
ever Is with foe upon her own
hearth at home.
!. ireland seeks nothing from Eng
land but the removal of England's
interfering hand. Her only demand
Is the fundamental right to live her
own life in her own way with no
limitations except those imposed by
the necessity of respecting the equal
rights OF other peoples.