The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-07

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.--Presi-
dent Wilson's annual message to
congress today follows:
When l addressed myself to per-
forming the duty laid upon the
president by the constitution to pre-
sent to you an annual report on the
state Of the union found my
thought dominated by an immortal
sentence Of Abraham Lincoln:
Let US have faith that right
makes might, and in that faith let
us dare to do our duty as we under
stand it."
A sentence immortal because 1t
embodies in a form of utter sim
plicity and purity the essential faith
of the nation, the faith In which 1t
was conceived and the faith in which
1t has grown to glory and power.
With that faith Rnd the birth of a
nation founded upon 1t came the
hope into the world that new or
der would prevail throughout the af-
fairs of mankind, an order In which
reason and right would take pre-
cedence of covetousness and force,
and l believe that express the wish
and purpose of every thoughtful
American when | say that this SEN
LCAICC HidihS LOE uS AL bllC pldiiOSN
manner the part we should play
alike in the arrangement Of our do
mestic affairs and in our exercise of
world. BY this faith, and by this
faith aione, can the world he lifted
out of its present confusion and de-
spair. 1t was this faith which pre-
vailed over the wicked force of Ger
many.
War Ended by Faith.
4. You win remember that the be-
ginning of the end Of the war came
when the Germany people found
themselves face to face with the
conscience of the world and realized
that right was everywhere arrayed
against the wrong that their gov
ernment was attempting to per-
petrate. I think, therefore, that~it is
true to say that this was the faith
which won the war. Certainly this
is the faith with which our gallant
men went into te field and out upon
the seas to make sure Of victory.
This Is the mission upon which
democracy came into the world.
Democracy is an assertion Of the
right Of the Individual 10 live and to
be treated justly as against any
attempt on the part OF any combl-
nation of individuals to make laws
which will overburden him or which
will destroy his equality among his
fellows ip the matter of right or
privilege, Nand / think we all realize
that the day has come when democ-
racy Is being put upon its final test
The old world is Just now suffering
from a wanton rejection Of the prin-
ciple of democracy and a substitu-
tion of the principle of autocracy as
asserted in the name but without the
authority and sanction of the multi
tude. This is the time Of all others
when democracy should prove its
purity and its spiritual power to pre-
vail. 1t Is surely the manifest des-
tiny of the United States TO lead in
the attempt to make this spirit pre-
vail. -
There are two ways in which the
United States can assist 10 ac-
complish this great Object: First. ty
Offering the example within hcr own
borders of the. will and power Of de-
nnoeracy to make and enforce laws
which are un1uestionab'v Just and
which are equal in their administra-
tions !" laws which secure it's
full right to labor and vet ut the
same time safeguard the integrity Of
property, and particularly of that
property which is devoted to the de-
velopment of industry and the in
crease of the necessary wealth Of
the world. Second, by standing for
right and justice as toward indi-
vidual nations. The laws of de-
mocracy is for the protection of the
weak and the influence of every de-
mocracy in the world should be for
the protection of the weak nation,
the nation which is struggling to-
ward it's right and toward its proper
recognition and privilege in the
family of nations.
"Can Not Refuse Role"
The United States can not refuse
this role of champion without put
ting the stigma Of rejection upon the
great and devoted men who brought