The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-14

antee the substitution of discussion
Tor war. If we keep out of this
agreement, if we Go not give our guar
antecs, then another attempt will be
made to crush the new nations Of
Europe.
Il do not believe that this is what
the people Of this country wish or
will be satisfied with. Personally
do not accept the action Of the SEN
ate Of the United States as the dccis-
ion of the nation. l have asserted
from the first that the overwhelming
majority OF the people of this coun-
try desire the ratification Of the treaty
and my impression to that effect has
recently been confirmed by the un-
mistakable evidences of public opin-
ion given during my visit to Il Of the
States. I have endeavorcd to make i
plain that if the senate wishes to say
what the undoubted meaning Of the
league is. I shall have no objection.
There can be no reasonable objection
to interpretations accompanying the
act of ratification itself. But when
the treaty is acted upon, l must
know whether it means that we have
ratified ;or rejected =. We can not
rewrjte this treaty. We must take It
without changes. which alter is
meaning. or leave it and then. after
the rest Of the world has signed II.
We must face the unthinkable task OF
making another and separate kind OF
treaty with Germany. Eut no mere
assertions with regard TO the wish
and opinion Of the country arc cred
tied. If there is : doubt as to
what the people Of the country think
on this vital matter, the clear ana
single way out is to submit it for rat
ification at the next election 20 the
voters of the nation to give the next
election the form OF i great and SOL
emn referendum. a referendum as 10
the part tho United States is to play
in completing the settlements OF the
war and in the prevention in The fu-
fturc of sucn outr3geS as Germany at
tempted TO rerpetrate. We have no
more moral right to refuse now to
take part IN the execution and ad-
ninistration Of these settlements than
we had to refuse TO take part IN the
fighting of the last few weeks of the
war which brought victory and made
it possible TO dictate to Germany
what the settlements should be. Our
fidelity to our associates in the war
is in question ard the whole future OF
mankind. 1t will be heartening to the
whole world to know the attitude and
purpose Of the people Of the United
States.
Il spoke just now the spiritual lead
ership of the United States thinking
Of international affairs. But there Is
other spiritual leadership which is
open to use and which we can assume.
The world has been made safe for
democracy but democracy has not
been finally vindicated III sorts OF
crimes are being committed in it's
name. all sorts Of preposterous per-
versions of its doctrines and practices
are being attempted. This, in my
Judgment is to be the great privilege
Of the democracy Of the United States.
to show that it can lead the way IN
the solution of the great social and
industrial problems Of our time. ana
lead the way TO a happy settled order
/ Of life as well as to political liberty.
| The program for this achievement We
must attempt to formulate. and in
carrying it out we shall do more than
can be done in any other way to
sweep out Of existence the ty"annouS
and arbitrary forms of power which
are now masquera ding under the
name of popular eo1ernment
Whenever we look back to Andrew
Jackson we should draw fresh in
spirations frorl his character and ex-
! ample. His mind srasped with such a
splendid definiteness and frnlness the
principles Of national authority and
national action. He WAS so indom-
table in his purpose TO give reality
TO the principles of the government
that this is very fortunate time to
recall his career and to renew our
vows Of faithfulneSs to the principles
and the practices of democracy. l re-
joicc to join YOU in this renewal Of
faith and purposa. | hope that tho
whole evening nay be of the hap
/ piest results as regards the fortunes
c,f ttf,11