Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-09-09


course, superior to a legal obligation
and OF a greater binding force
"What, then. becomes OF the argu-
ment that Congress, not the President,
In this instance at any rate, might
keep US out OF war; Technically, OF
course, IL could do so. Morally. with
equal certainty, II could not do so nor
would II ever do SO. The American
people would never permit repudia-
tion Of debt OF honor. '--s ;.zL-..4a.
IAN | not right, my countrymen.
In saying that Ne needed only the
outbreak of war between Poland and
Russia TO make us realize at least
one OF the things which In the words
of Secretary Lansing, we would have
been let In for but for the restrain
ing hand of the senate, and TO fetch
home TO us the danger OF commit
ting our country In advance TO causes
thar we kn9w not of IL,
Not Our Purpose. ''4~
"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 nations. The fact remains, how
ever, that no such intent was officially
acclaimed. no allusion, nor even sug-
gestion 70 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 left no room for doubt
of the motives which led me 10 cast
my vote IN favor OF that resolution.
II SO happened that | 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.
~ want 1t known to the people OF
my state and to the nation that / am
voting for war tonight for the main
,euance of just American rights, which
is the first essential TO the preserva
ton of the soul Of this republic
81 vote for this joint resolution TO
make war not war thrust upon us
If | could choose the language OF the
resolution. bur a war declared In re
Spouse 10 affrOnts; a war that will
az least put q soul into our American
NE war not for 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 IA war for
civilization, worthy and inspiring as
that would be; but war that speaks
FOR the majesty OF people properly
governed, who finally are brought to
the crucial test where they are re-
solved TO get together and wage con
FLEET for the maintenance Of their
rights and the preservation Of the
covenant inherited from their fathers.
1--WE have given to the world the
spectacle Of 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 hu-
manity. and we gave proof TO the
world at that time OF an unselfsh ma
ton. Now, whether IL Is the fate, or
fortune. or travail of destiny, 1t has
come TO US TO unsheathe the sword
again. not alone for humanity's sake
through that splendid inspiration will
ne invOlved-but 10 unsheathe the
sword against a great power in the
maintenance OF the rights VI the re-
public, In the maintenance which will
give to ~ q new guaranty Of nation
atty. That's the great thing. and /
want II known, Mr.. President and sen
tors. that this Is the impelling thought
with me for one, when I cast my vote.
For Same Guaranty Today.
1T Is for that same guaranty OF ma
tionality' that I stand today, and shall
continue to stand inneIibIy. SO long
as | shall be permitted 10 live. The
Independence OF our great republic Is
10 me a priceless and sacred inheri
lance. Time was when an American
did not hesitate 10 proclaim himself
patriot. To do so now. I 60 well
aware, 10 sometimes 10 invite the
sneers OF cynicism But Why should
any true American not be free to say
I am patriot, wholly evoted to my
country. which hold TO be Gods best
inspiration to man for higher attain
ment and the promotion Of the worlds
best civilization
But ! have a special reason for
making this reference today. chal-
lenge the statement that the patriot
ism which holds Aperfa first COM
prehends either narrownes or selfish
ness, or as implying tacit suspicion and
jealousy OF other peoples.
ITO assert, as some have asserted
heedlessly, that those OF US who honest
ly believe that America CON best
serve all mankind as America. free
and untrammeled, rather t,ian as one
In a pitiable minority among many
states Ia merged world governme Mt,
lack consciousness Of the rightful DE-
mands Of humanity, Is 10 utter q gross
and unpa rdonable libel. To attribute
meanness 20 those Of us who. In the
performance Of our public duty, ~
fused to participate in what we SIN
cerely regarded "a betrayal Of our
own country In the interest OF others,
10 to discredlt the Intelligence and
discrimination OF the great mass Of
American people who directly, bT
their votes, put VS. In cur positions Of
trust. For myself. yield TO % man
In Willingness, aye. In sagapses, 10
render the greatest conceivable sssist-