The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-09-16
course, superior to legal obligation
and of a greater binding force

"What, then, becomes OF the argu-
ment that Congress. not the President.
in this instance at any rate. might
keep us out of war; Technically. of
course, 1t could do So Morally. with
equal certainty, it could not do so nor
would IT ever do so. The American
people would never permit repudia-
ton of a debt of honor.
"Am l not right, my countrymen,
in saying that we needed only the
outbreak of war between Poland and
Russia to make us realize at least
one of the things which. in the words
of Secretary Lansing, we would have
been let in for but for the restrain
ing hand of the senate, and to fetch
home to US the danger Of commit
ting our country in advance to causes
that we know not Of?
Not Our Purpose.
Zone can have no quarrel with those
who have convinced themselves that
our underlying purpose in entering the
great conflict was to create league
of nations. The fact remains, how
ever, that no such intent was officially
acclaimed, no allusion, nor even sug-
gestion to that effect appeared in the
Joint resolution of Congress which de-
clared the existence of state of war
between this country and Germany.
For myself l left no room for doubt
of the motives which led me to cast
my vote in favor of that resolution.
1t so happened that l made the con-
Guiding speech upon the war resolu-
ton, from my place in the senate, on
the night Of April 4, 1917. These were
my own words at that time:
"I want it known to the people OF
my state and to the nation that l am
voting for war tonight for the main.
tenance Of just American rights, which
is the first essential to the preserva-
ton of the soul Of this republic.
"1 vote for this joint resolution to
make war, not war thrust upon US.
If could choose the language of the
resolution, but a war declared in re-
spouse to affronts; war that will
at least put a soul into our American
life; war not for the cause of the
allies of Europe; a war not for France,
beautiful as the sentiment may be in
reviving at least our gratitude to the
French people; not precisely war for
civilization, worthy and inspiring as
that would be; but war that speaks
for the majesty Of a people properly
governed, who finally are brought to
the crucial test where they are re-
solved to get together and wage con
fiict for the maintenance Of their
rights and the preservation Of the
covenant inherited from their fathers
"We have given to the world the
spectacle of great nation that could
make war without selfish intent. We
unsheathed the sword some eighteen
years ago for the first time in the his
manity, and we gave proof to the
world at that time of an unselfish ma
ton. Now, whether it is the fate, or
fortune, or travail of destiny, 1t has
come to US to unsheathe the sword
again. not alone for humanity's sake
be involved-but to unsheathe the
sword against great power In the
maintenance Of the rights Of the re-
public, in the maintenance which will
give to US new guaranty of nation
ality. That's the great thing, and
want it known, Mr.. President and SEN
ators, that this is the impelling thought
with ME for one, when I cast my vote
For Same Guaranty Today.
"It is for that same guaranty Of ma
tionality' that stand today, and shall
continue to stand inflexibly, SO long
as l shall be permitted to live The
independence Of our great republic is
to me priceless and sacred inheri-
lance. Time was when an American
did not hesitate to proclaim himself a
patriot. To do so now, l am well
aware, is sometimes to invite the
sneers Of cynicism. But why should
any true American not be free to say
4 am patriot, wholly evoted to my
country, which I hold to be Gods best
inspiration to man for higher attain
ment and the promotion of the world
best civiliZatron?
"But I have special reason TO,
making this reference today. chal
lenge the statement that the patriot
prehends either narrcwn"s or selfish,
ness, or as implying tacit suspicion and
jealousy of other peoples.
ITO assert, as some have asserted
heedlessly, that those of US who honest
ly believe that America can best
and untrammeled rather than as ont
in pitiable minority among man,
states in merged world government
lack consciousness Of the rightful de
mands af humanity, is to utter a gross
and objectionable libel. To attribute
meanness to those Of US who, in the
performance Of our public duty, re
fused to participate in what we sin
cerely regarded as betrayal of on
own country in the interest OF others
Is to discredit the intelligence ant
discrimination of the great mass o
American people who directly, b.
their votes, put us in our positions o
trust. For myself, yield to no mai
In willingness, aye, in eagerness, t.
render the greatest conceivable assist
ance to the stricken peoples Of Ed
rope l include all of them and
speak with a genuinely sympathetic
| heart, whether it is to mention de