Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-07-22


group of the Senate. We were not seek
ing to defeat world aspiration, we were
resolved to safeguard America. We were
resolved then, even as we are today, and
will be tomorrow, to preserve this Tree
and independent republic. Let those
now responsible, or seeking responsl-
bility, propose. the surrender, whether
with interpretations, apologies or re-
luctant reservations-from which our
rights are to be omitted-we welcome
the referendum to the American people
on the preservation of America, and the
Republican party pledges its defense OF
the preserved inheritance of national
freedom.
In the call of the conscience of America
is peace, peace that closes the gaping
wound of world war, and silences the I'M
passioned voices of international envy
and distrtIst. Heeding this call and know
ing as | do the disposition of the Con-
gress, | promise you formal and effective
peace so quickly as a Republican con-
gress can pass its declaration for Re
publican executive to sign. Then we
may turn to our readjustment at home
and proceed deliberately and reflec-
lively TO that hoped-for world relation
ship which shall satisfy both conscience
and aspirations and still hold us free from
menacIng involvement.
/ can hear in the call of conscience
an insistent voice for the largely reduced
armaments throughout the world, with
attending reductions of burdens upon
peace-loving humanity. We wish to give
of American influence and example, we
must give of American leadership to
that invaluable accomplishment.
| can speak unreseyedly of the Amerl-
can aspiration and the Republican com
initial for an association of nations, Co
operating in sublime accord, TO attain
and preserve peace through Justice rather
than force, determined 10 add to security
through international law, so clarified
that no misconstruction can be possible
without affrontlng world honor.
MUST STAND FOR RIGHT.
This republic can never be unmindfuI
of its power. and must never forget the
force Of its example Possessor of might
that admits no fear, America must stand
foremost for the right. II the mistaken
voice of America, spoken in unheedIng
haste, led Europe, in the hour OF deepest
anxiety, into a military alliance when
menaces peace and threatens an freedom
instead of adding TO their security, then
we must speak the truth for America
and express our hope for the fraternizeo
conscience of nations.
1t will avail nothing TO discuss IN detail
the league covenant, which was conceived
for world supergovernment, negotiated
IN misunderstanding, and lntolerantlN
urged and demanded by its admInlstra
ton sponsors, who resisted every effort
10 safeguard America, and who finally
a n, Il r. l..
serted. II the supreme blunder has
left European relationships inextricably
interviewer in the league compact, ouI
sympathy for Europe only magnlfies oul
own good fortune in resisting involve
ment 1t is better 70 be the free and dis
interested agent of international justice
and advancing civilization, with the
covenant Of conscience, than be shackled
by a written compact which surrendcrs
our freedom of action and gives to a mill
tary alliance the right to proclaim Ameri-
cas- duty TO the world. No surrender
OF rights to world council or its military
alliance, no assumed mandatory. however
appealing. ever shall summon the sons
OF this republic to war Their supreme
sacrifice shall only be asked for America
and its call of honor. There is a sanctlty
in that right we will not delegate
When the compact was Icing writ
ten, do not know whether Europe asked
or ambition insistently bestowed. 1t was
so good to rejoice In the worlds conh-
dence In our unselhshneSs that | can be
lieve our evident disinterestedness IN
spired Europe's wish for our association
quite as much as the selfish though OF en-
listing American power and resources
Ours is an outstanding, influential example
TO the world, whether we cloak 1t IN
spoken modeSty or magpIfy 1t In eXalta-
ton. We want to help: we mean to help
but we hold our to own Interpretation OF
the American conscience as the very
soul of our nationality.
Disposed as we are, the way is very
simple. Let the failure attending assump-
ton, obstinacy, impractieability and de
lay be recognized, and let US flnd the big
practical, umselfish way TO do our part
neither covetous because Of AMBITION mol
hesitant through fear, but ready TO serve
ourselves, humanity and God With q
Senate advising as the constitution con:
templates, / would hopefully approach
the nations of Europe and Of the earth
proposing that understanding which make
us willing participant In the consecra-
ton of nations TO a new relationship, tC
commit the moral forces of the world
America included, to peace and inter.
national justice, still leaving Amerlca
free, independent and self-ieliant, but
offering friendship to all the world.
MEAN TO BE AMERICANS FIRST.
If men call for more specific details,
remind them that moral committals are
broad and all inclusive, and we are con
templating peoples in the concord of hu
manity advancement. From our owI
viewpoint the program is specially Amer
can, and we mean to be Americans hrst
TO all the world.
Appraising preserved nationality as
the first essential to the continued prog
ress of the republic, there is linked with
it the supreme necessity of the restoration
let us say the re-revealment-of tho
constitution, and our, reconstruction as
an industrial nation. Here is the tran
scending task. 1t concerns our common
veal at home and viii decide our future
eminence in the world More than these
this republic, under constitutional llber-
ties, has given TO mankind the most for.
tunate conditions for human activity
and attainment the world has ever noted
and we are today the worlds reserve force
in the great contest for liberty through
security, and maintained equality oi
opportunity and its righteous rewards
1t is folly to close our eyes to outStand-
ing facts. Humanity is restiye, much
of the world is in revolution, the agents
of discord and destruction have wrought
their tragedy II pathetic Russia, have
lighted their torches among other peoples
and hope TO see America as part Of the