The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1920-09-09

arisen, and that the extraneous attack
did exist precisely as II does exist to-
day In Poland, the President admitted
specifically that We would be untrue II
we did not keep our word.
Replying further to a question
which perhaps | ought not to have
considered necessary, the President
pronounced a moral obligation of
course, superior to legal obligation.
| and of greater binding force.
What then becomes of the argument
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, 1t could not do so, nor would
1t ever dc SO. The American people
would never permit reputation of a
debt of honor.
Am | not right, my countrymen, in
saying that we needed only the out
break of war between Poland and Rus
STA to make us realize al least one OF
the things which, in the words of
Secretary Lansing, we would have been
let in for but for the restraining hand
OF the Senate, and to fetch home to us
the danger of committing our country
in advance to causes that we know not
Of?
One can have no quarrel with those
who have convinced themselves that
our underlying purpose in entering the
great conflict was to create a League
Of NQtinno Tho fon Inc
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: 4 want 1t
known to the people of my state and
to the nation that am voting for war
tonight for the maintenance Of just
American rights, which. is the first es-
sential to the preservation of tlfe soul
Of this republic. vote for this joint
resolution to make war, not a war
thrust upon us, II / could choose the
language of the resolution, but war
declared In response to affronts, a war
that will at least put soul into our
American life, war not Tor 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 In
spring as that would be, but war that
speaks for the majesty of the people
properly governed, who finally are
brought to the crucial test where they
are resolved to get together and wage
conflict for the maintenance of their
rights and the preservation of their
covenant inherited from their fathers.
We have given to the world the
spectacle of a great nation that could
make war without selfish intent. We
unsheathed the sword some eighteen
years ago for the first time In the his
tory of the world, in the name of hui
manity, and we gave proof to the world
at that time of an unselfish nation
Now whether it'is the fate, or fortune,
or travail of destiny, 1t has come to
us to unsheath the sword again, not
alone for humanitys sake--though
that splendid inspiration will be in
volved-but to unsheath the sword
against a great power in the mainten-
ance Of the rights OF the republic, in
the maintenance which will give to us
new guaranty of nationality. That's
the great thing. and want It known
Mr.. President, and senators. that this
is the impelling, thought for me, for
one, In casting my vote
'.It is for that same guaranty of
nationality that stand today and
shall continue to stand inflexibly, so
long as shall be permitted to live.
The independence of our great repub-
lie is to me a priceless and sacred in
heritance. Time was when an Ameri-
can did not hesitate to proclaim him
self patriot. To do so now, | am
we'll aware, Is sometimes to invite the
sneers Of cynicism. But why should
any true American not be free to say
/ am patriot, wholly devoted to my
country, which I hold to be Gods best
inspiration to man for higher attain
ment and the promotion of the WORLDS
best civilization?,
'But I have special reason for
making this reference today. chal-
lenge the statement that the patriotism
which holds America first comprehends
either narrowness or selfishness, or as
implying tacit suspicion and jealousy
OF other peoples.
ITO assert, as some have asserted,
heedlessly, that those OF us who hon
estly believe that America can best
serve all mankind as America, free
and untrammeled. rather than as one
of pitiable minority among many
states in merged world government.
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