Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-09-16

thought somewhat evasively. that we
would be our own judges as to wheth-
er we were obliged In those circum-
stances to act In that way or not.
Pressed further. however, In response
tn a query Incorporating the assump-
ton that the case provided for and
prescribed had arisen and that the
extraneous attack did exist precisely
as II does exist today In Poland. the
President admitted specifically that we
would be untrue IL we did not keep our
word
Replying further to question
which perhaps ! ought not to have
considered necessary, the President
pronounced moral obligation or
course, superior TO legal obligation
and of n greater binding force.
what, then, becomes OF The argu-
ment that Congress, not the president,
In this instance at any rate. might
Keen us out OF war; Technically, or
course, II could do So Morally. with
equal certainty. II could not do so nor
would II ever do so The American
people would never permit repudin-
ton of q debt of honor.
"Am | not right, my countrymen,
In SAYING that we needed only the
outbreak OF war between Poland ana
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 Oft
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-
gpstion 10 that effect appeared In the
Joint resolution of Congress which de-
clared the existence Of a state OF war
between this country and Germany.
For myself I left no room for doubt
Of the motives which led me TO cast
my vote In favor Of that resolution.
II 40 happened that ] 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:
~ wnnt II known to the people OF
my state and to the nation that ! am
voting for war tonight for the main
| tenance Of Just American rights. which
Is the first essential to the preserya-
ton Of the soul Of this republic.
81 vote for this joint resolution to
make war. not n war thrust upon us,
II I could choose the language OF the
| resolution, but war declared In re-
Spouse to affronts: = war that will
at least put a soul into our American
| lIfc 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 he; but a war that speaks
for the majesty Of people properly
| governed. who finally are brought to
the crucial test where they are re-
| S"NVu W XVI tVkCNMCs 0tu "0kC NVu-
fiict for the maintenance Of their
rights and the preservation Of the
covenant inherited from their fathers.
| ave have given to the world the
spectacle of great nation that could
make war without selfish intent. We
| unsleath the sword some eighteen
years ago for the first time In the his
tory Of the world. In the mime Of hui
! manity. and We gave proof tn the
world at that time 0f an unseltish ma
ton. Now, whether IL is the fate. or
fortune, or travail of destiny. II has
| come To us tn unshenthe the sword
again, not alone for humnnity's sake
through that splendid inspiration will
| he involved--hut To unsheathe the
sword against a great power In the
maintenance OF the rights If the re-
public. In the maintenance which will
give to us new guaranty OF nation
ality. That's the great thing, and l
want II known. Mr.. President and SEN
ators, that this Is the impelling thought
with me for one. when ! cast my vote
For Same Guaranty Today.
"It Is for that same guaranty Of mn.
| tionality' that ! stand today. and shall
continue to stand intiexibly. SO long
! as I shalt he permitted to live. The
| independence Of our great republic is
| to me u priceless and sacred inheri-
| lance Time was when an American
| did not hesitate to proclaim himself n
| patriot. To do ST. now. | am well
aware. IL sometimes To Invite the
sncers of cynicism Hut why should
| any true American not he free 10 say
4 am patriot, wholly evoted To my
country. which hold la he Gods best
inspiration 10 man Cor higher attain
n,cnt and the rrnmol ion ~ the worlds
best civilizationT
but l have u special reason for
making this reference today. ! chal-
lengc the siatemcn, tia, tho patriot
ism which holds America first com
prehenas either iarrown"s or selfish
ness, or as Implying tacit suspicion and
jealousy OF other peoples
ITO assert ms some have asserted
heedlessiy, that those OF us who honest.
~ believe that America can best
1