Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-09-08
HARDING GLAD
AMERICANS ARE
A FREE PEOPLE
(Continued from page 81

mark casually, however, that If l should
be, as / fully expect to be, elected
President of this just and honorable
republic, will not empower an assist
ant secretary of the navy to draft a
the West Indies and jam 1t down their
Threats at the point Of bayonets borne
by United States marines. We have
a higher service for our gallant ma
rines than that. Nor will misuse the
power of the executive to cover with a
veil of secrecy repeated acts of I'M
warranted interference in domestic af-
fairs of the little republics of the west
ern hemisphere, such as In the past few
years have not only made enemies of
those who should be our friends, but
have rightfully discredited our country
as their trusted ,nelghbor.
viii Submit to, No Wrong.
"On the other hand, I will not or
shall not, as you prefer, submit to any
wrong against any American citizen,
with respect to either his life or his
property, by any government. This
statement is made in all solemnity,
with enmity for none and friendship
for all. If 1t particularly applies to
Mexico, the application has been d.
rected by the robbery and murder OF
hundreds of our own people In that
unhappy country who were lawfully
there and were entitled to protection.
One must admit that these outrages
upon Americans are largely the conse-
quences of the wiggling and webbing,
the supine waiting of our own govern
ment, though the admission neither
helps the hurt, nor gives the hope OF
security for the future while the pres
ent administration remains In power,
or when one In complete accord sue
ceeds ii.
"This admonition is not directed ex-
clusively toward our next door neigh
Dor to whom we would gladly hold
forth a helping hand, and whom
primarily, certainly In preference to
far off peoples in Europe, Asia and
Africa, it is our manifest duty to
serve with a whole heart and gener-
Gus tolerance. 1t is intended for
plain notice to every government on
the face Of the earth that the entire
resources of this nation are pledged
to maintain the sacredness Of Amer
lean lives and the just protection Of
American properties.
Line Of Oemarcation Plain.
"The line of demarcation between
our attitude and that of our political
opponents is perfectly plain. The
president has made his position clear
by his acts no less than by his words.
Twice there came to him an oppor-
tunity to obtain ratification at the
hands of the senate and twice he put
the opportunity aside, because he
would not accept reservations design
ed solely to safeguard American
rights. He still holds Article 10 to
be the heart of the ,coyenant. So does
the Democratic platform. SO does the
Democratic nominee. To assume that
the nominee would accept the reserva-
lions rejected by the President and
denounced by the party platform Is
TO impugn his integrity. TO insinuate,
as those who in proclaiming them
selves for the Democratic candidate
and the league with reservations do
insinuate that he would pursue such
a course in seeking ratification Is not
to pay him compliment, but rather
TO challenge his sincerity.
'For myself do not question for a
moment the truth Of what the Demo
cratic nominee says on this subject.
He has fatty said he is lin favor of
going In on the basis announced by
the President. l am not. That Is the
whole difference between us, but 1t
is most vital one. because 1t in
wolves the disparity between a world
court of justice supplemented by a
world association for conference. on
the one hand, and the council of the
league, on the other
The Difference.
"The difference between court of
international justice and the council
created by the league covenant is
simple but profound.
"The one is judicial tribunal to
be governed by fixed and definite prin-
ciples of law administered without
passion or prejudice. The other Is an
association of diplomats and politi-
clans whose determinations are sure
to be influenced by considerations Of
expediency and national selfishness.
II do not mean to say, nor do i
mean to permit any such construction,
that ! would decline to cooperate with
other nations In an honest endeavor
10 prevent wars. Nobody living
would take that position. The only
question is one of method or of prac-
ticability within the bounds prescrib-
ed by fundamental principles.
"There are distinctly two types OF
international relationship. One is an
offensive and defensive alliance of
great powers, like that created at
Versailles, to impose their will upon
the helpless peoples of the world.
Frankly, am opposed to such a
scheme as that, and l speak know
ingly when / say that the associated
powers, with whom we fought the war,
were reluctant to accept such propo-
sltion.
81 am opposed to the very thought
of our republic becoming party to
so great an outrage upon other peo-