The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-27

of the great moral achievement on your
presence of which the world found a re-
assurance and recovery Of force which
1t could have experienced in other way.
We entered the war, as you remember, not
merely to Leaf Germany, but to end the
possibility of the renewal of such iniqui-
tous schemes as Germany entertained. The
war will have been fought In vain and our
immense sacrifices thrown away unless
We complete the work we then began, and
l ask you to consider that there is only
one way to assure the world of peace.
That is by making 1t so dangerous to
break the peace that no other nation will
should not be deceived into suuposing that
imperialistic schemes ended with the de-
feat of Germany, that Germany is the
only ration that entertained such schemes
or was moved by sinister ambitions ana
long standing jealousies to attack the very
structure of civilization. There are other
nations which are likely to-be powerfully
moved or are already moved by commercial
baHe 5e by own the de e to ana to
terprise, and it is necessary to check them
and to apprise them that the world will be
specific redemption of the pledge which
these free governments of the world gave
to, their peoples when they entered the
war. They promised their people not only
that Germany would be prevented from
carrying out her plot but that the world
would be- safeguarded in the future from
similar designs. We have now to choose
whether We will make good or quit. We
have Joined the issue, and the issue is be-
States and the spirit and purpose of i'm
perialism. no matter where it shows itself.
The spirit of Imperialism is absolutely. op
posed to free government, to the safe life
of free nations, to the development of
peaceful industry and to the completion
of the righteous processes of civilization.
1t seems to me, and l think it will seem
to you. that it is our duty to show the in
domitabIe will and irresistible majesty of
the high purpose of the United States, so
that the part we played in the war as SOL
diers and sailors may be crowned with the
achievement of lasting peace. No one who
opposes the ratification of the treaty of
Versailles and the adoption of the cove
nant of the League of Nations has pro-
posed any other adequate means of bring
ing about settled peace. There is no other
available or possible means, and this means
is ready to hand. They have, on the con-
pledge contained in Article x which is the
essential pledge of the whole plan of Sc
curity, is itself a threat of war. 1t is, on
the contrary, an assurance of concert of
all the free people of the world in the
future as in the recent past, to see justice
done and humanity protected and vindi-
Gated. This is the true, the real American
ism. This is the role of leadership and
championship of the right which the lead
play. The so-called Americanism which we
hear so much prating about now is sspuri-
GUS u.s., invented for party purposes only
ent campaign. 1t is regrettable that this
choice should be associated with a party
contest. As compared with the choice of a
course of action that now underIies every
other, the fate of parties is matter of in
difference Parties are significant now in
this contest because the voters must make
up their minds which of the two parties is
most likely to secure the indispensable re-
suit The nation was never called upon to
make a more solemn determination than it
must now make. The whole future moral
force of right in the world depends upon
the United States rather than upon any
other nation. and it would be pitiful indeed
if, after SO many great free peoples had
entered the great League. We should hold
aloof. 1 suggest that the candidacy of
every candidate, for whatever office, be
tested by this question: -
Shall we or shall we not redeem the
great moral obligation of the United
StatesE' 80 3D.