Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-07-22


inant group OF the senate. We were
not seeking to defeat a world aspira-
ton, we were resolved to safeguard
America. We were resolved then, even
as we are today. and will be tomor-
row, to preserve this free and ince-
pendent republic
In the call OF the conscience of
America is peace, peace that closes the
gaping wound of world war, and ST.
lences the impassioned voices OF in
ternational envy and distrust Heed
ing this call and knowing as | do the
disposition of the Congress, promise
you formal and effective peace SO
quickly as Republican Congress can
pass its declaration for a Republican
executive to sign.
1t Is better to be the free and
disinterested agent of international
justice and advancing civilization.
with the covenant of conscience, than
be shackled by written compact
which surrenders our freedom OF ac-
ton and gives to military alliance
the right to proclaim Americas duty
TO the world. No surrender OF rights
to world council or its military all
lance, no assumed mandatory how
ever 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 sanctity in that right we
will not delegate.
Leaving America Independent.
Disposed as we are, the way is very
simple. Let the failure attending as
sumption, obstinacy, impracticability
| and delay be recognized, and let us
find the big, practical, unselfish way
TO do our part, neither covetous be-
cause of ambition nor hesitant through
fear, but ready to serve ourselves, hui
mainly and God With senate ad-
vising as the constitution contemplates,
| would hopefully approach the nations
Of Europe and of Ihe earth, proposing
that understanding which makes US a
willing participant in the consecra-
! ton of nations TO new relationship,
10 GOuIlit Tile lHbIdl IOTteS Ol Tic
world, America included, to peace and
| international justice, still leaving Am
erica free, Independent and selfreliant,
but offering friendship to all the world
| 1t Is folly to close our eyes TO out
standing facts. Humanity is FESTIVE,
| much of the world Is in revolution.
the agents of discord and destruction
xxyrn oh hni t,.o 40 n na hnt 10
| Russia, have lighted their torches
among other peoples, and hope to see
America as q part of the great Red
| conf1a grafton. Ours is the temple of
| liberty under the law, and 1t is ours to
call the Sons of Opportunity to its de-
Tense. America must not only save
| herself but ours must be the appealing
voice to sober the world.
1t must be understood that toll alone
makes for accomplishment and ad-
vancement. and righteous possession is
the reward of toll, and its incentive
| There is no progress except in the
stimulus of competition.
The chief trouble today Is that the
world war wrought the destruction OF
healthful competition, left our store
houses empty. and there is minimum
| production when our need is max
imum. Maximums, not miDmums, Is
| HE call Of America. 1t isn't new
story because war never fails TO leave
depleted storehsmses and always int
pairs the efficiency OF production. War
also establishes its higher standards
| TO- wages. and they abide. wish the
! higher wage to abide, on one explicit
condition-that the wage-earner will
give full return for the wage received.
Production, More Production.
want. somehow. to appeal to the
sons and daughters Of the republic,
to every producer. to join hand and
| brain in production, more production,
! honest production. patriotic produc-
| ton. because patriotic production Is
no less defense OF our best civiliza-
| ton than that of armed force Prof.
teering Is crime OF commission, I'M
| der-production Is crime of omission.
We must work our most and best, else
| the destructive reaction will come
| The menacing tendency of the pres
ent day is not cbargeable wholly to
the unsettled and fevered conditions
caused by the war. The manifest
weakness In popular government lies
In the temptation TO appeal to grouped
citizenship for political advantage.
| It would be the blindness Of folly 10
| ignore the activities In our own coun-
which are aimed to destroy or