Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-23

hceS, the awakened convictions ana
the aspiring conscience of human
kind must commit the nations Of
the earth to q new and better rela-
tionship. 1t need not be discussed
now what motives plunged the world
: into war, it need not be inquired
whether we asked the sons Of this
| republic to defend our national
rights, as I believe we did, or to
purge the old world of the accumu-
lated ills Of rivalry and greed, the sac
rifices will be in vain If we can not
acclaim a new order, with added Sc
curity to civilization and peace main
tanned.
The Conscience Of Our America
One may readily sense the con-
science Of our America. l. am sure
understand the purpose of the
dominant group Of the senate. We
were not seeking to defeat a world
aspiration, we were resolved to safe
guard America. We were resolved
then, even as we are today. and will
be tomorrow, to preserve this free
and Independent republic. Let those
now responsible, or seeking respon-
| sibility, propose the surrender,
whether with interpretations apol-
ogies or reluctant reservations -
from which our rights are to be
| omitted-we welcome the referen-
dunn to the American people on the
preservation Of America, and the Re-
publican 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
stlences the impassioned voices Of
international envy and distrust.
Needing this call and knowing as
do the disposition Of the congress, I
promise you formal and effective
peace as quickly as a Republican
congress can pass its declaration for
republican executive to sign. Then
we may turn to our readjustment at
nome and proceed deliberately and
ref1ectively to that hoped for world
relationship which shall satisfy both
conscience and aspirations and still
mene
l can hear in the call OF con.
science an insistent voice for the
largely reduced ornaments through
out the world, with attending reduc.
ton Of burdens upon peace-lovine
humanity. We wish to give Of
American influence and example: NJ
must give Of American leadership to
that invaluable accomplishment.
l can speak unreservedly of the
american aspiration and the Re.
publican committal for an associa.
tion OF nations. cooperating in sub.
lime accord, to attain and preserve
peace through justice rather than
force, determined to add to securitv
ehrouen international law, SO clari.
lleo mat no misconstruction can be
possible without affronting world
Our Power and EXAMPLE
Inns republic can never be unmind-
iui OF It's power. and must never for.
get the force Of its example. Pos.
SCISSOR. OF might that admits no fear
america must stand foremost for the
right. II the mistaken voice NJ
america spoken in unheeding haste,
leu europe. in the hour of deenast
anxiety into a military alliance which
nnenaces peace ana threatens all free
oon, instead or adding to their secure
~ tnen we must speak the truth for
america and express our hope for the
1raternized conscience Of nations.
1t will avail nothing TO discuss IN
detail the league covenant, which was
conceived Tor world super-government,
negotiated in misunderstanding and in
toierantly urged and demanded by its
administration sponsors, who resis ted
every EFFORT to safeguard America, and
VINO nnally rejected when such safe
guards were inserted. If the supreme
olunder has left European relation.
ships inextricably interviewer in the
league compact, our sympathy for Eu-
rope only magni1es our own good for
tune IN resisting involvement It ia
better to be the free and disinterested
agent OF international justice and adj
vancing civilization, with the cove
nant Of conscience, than be shackled
by written compact which surrenders
| our freedom Of action and gives tn a
military alliance the right to proclaim
Americas duty to the world. No sur
render OF rights to a world council or
its military alliance, no assumed
mandatory. however appealing, ever
shall summon the sons Of this repub-
lie to war. Their supreme sacrifice
shall only be asked for America and
its call Of honor. There is a sanctity
In that right we will not delegate.
When the compact was being writ
ten. do not know whether Europe
asked or ambition insistentlv he.
slowed. 1t was SO good to rejoice in
tho worlds confidence in our unselfish-
| ness that can believe our evident
disinterestedness inspired Europe.s
wish for our association, quite az
much as the selfish thought Of enlist
ing American power and resources
Ours Is an outstanding, influential ex-
ample to the world, whether we c,oak
1t in spoken modesty or magnify it in
exaltation. We want to help; we
mean to help; but we hold to- our own
Interpretation Of tho American con-
science as the very soul Of our na.
! tionality.
Tho Way 10 Simple
Disposed as we are. the way is very
simple. Lot the failure attending as
sumption. obstinacy. impracticability
and delay be recognised and let US
ma the big. practical. unsslnsh way to
do our part. neither covetdus because
OF ambition nor hesitant through fear,
put ready to serve ourselves. humanity
ana God. With a senate advising as
the constitution contemplates, I would
hnnAfsv110y n.