The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-10-01

/, pie II we should fail to contribute AZ
armed force, II called upon to do 30.
The President first replied, as !
thought somewhat eyasively, that we
would be our own Judges as to whetl.
Ell we were obliged In those circum
stances TO act In that way or not.
Pressed further. however, In response
to a query Incorporating the assump
ton that the cas- provided for and
prescribed had arisen and that the
e~Ntranenus attack did exist precisely
as il does exist today In Poland The
President admitted specifically that we
would he untrue II we did no keep on,
word
"iteplying further Ia 4 anrstioti
which perhaps ] ought iIot tn ''avg
considered necessary, the President
pronounce il moral obligation ri
course, superior TO u legal obligation
and Of a greater binding force
What. then. becomes ot the =
mellt thai Congress, not the President.
III this instance at any rate, might
keep Ms out Of war; Technically, OF
course. II could do 50. Morally, viii
equal certainty, il could not do SO noI
would il ever do so. The American
people would never permit Il repliia
ton Of II debt of honor.
Am | not right, ny conntrXiuen
i'm saving that We needed only tte
outbreak Of war between Poland and
Russia 10 make us realize n least
one Of the things which, Iii the words
Of Secretary lansing. we would have
leen lei In for but for the restrain
ING hand of the senate, ANA to fetela
home to Us the danger 1T commit
ting our country in advance 10 cau-e
that we know mol 81
Not Our Purpose.
cone can have no quarrel with those
who have convinced themselves tiHtl
our underlying purpose IN entering t}e
great conflict WAS TO create a ien@ut
of nations. The fact remains. iinW
ever. that no such intent was oliiciallA
acclaimed. nu aflusjol.. nor even u sag.
gesti"n IL that effect appeared in the
joint resolution Of Congress which de
ctatel the existence OF Il state al Wat
between his country and Germany
For myself l LETT no room for doiht.
of the motives which led mr. 10 cast
my vote in favor IF THAT resolution
1t SO happened that | made the con
Guiding speech upon the war resolu
ton, from my place in the senate. ar
the night 20 -tpljl !, 1917. .l.e>e wel
NY own words at that titur.
al want it kilo5n To tlle people ot
my state and To the nation that | AN
voting for war tonight for the main
tcnalice of just Americans rights. WiticI
i The first essential to the preserya
tion of>lile soul OF this republic.
~ Vote for this joint resolution tcl
make war, moi II war thrust upon MS
ii | could choose the language Of iliel
resolution. but Il war declared in re
slpnnse 10 n%ilfontS: 4 war tiat Will
AZ least put Il soul intn our .Ameri,Hrl
life a war not for the cause Of th.
allies of Europe a war not for France
beautiful rs the sentiment MAY be in
rrNitTn. at least our gratitude Ia the
French people not precisely Il war fof
civilization. worthy and inspiring rs
that would lie: bur IL war that speaks
for The majesty of IL people property
governed. who finally are b~r.nglt 10,
the crucial test where they are re
solved 70 ger together and wage a ron
tiict for The maintenance OF their
rights and the preservation OF the
covenant inherited from their fathers.
" have given 10 the world the
spectacle of a great nation that could
make war without selfish intent. We
~,lnsheathed the word some eighteen
years ago for the first time ia the his.
tory OF the world. in the name Of hui
manity. and We gave proof to the
world nj tiat time of an un>eltish ma
ton. Now. whether IL is the fate. or
fortune. or travail of destiny. ii has
cnlne I" us 10 mi>heathe the sword
again. moi sl"ne for lurnanity's sake
through ,hal splendid inspiration will
be involved hut 10 unSlealhe the
sword against a great power in the
maintenance of tho rights Of the re-
public, in the maintenance which will
give Ia Is Il new gnarint! " nation-
ality. That's the great thing. and |
want 1t known. Mr. President and sen
atorS. that this i h impelling thought |
with me for one, when ! east my vote
For Same Guaranty Today.
at is for that SAME GHaranty Of ma
tionaliiy' that | stand today, ann shall!
continue To stand intiexihly. So long
AS F.! shall he permitted To live. The
independence Of nlir great republic is
to me Il priceless and sacred inheri-
lance. Time was when an American
did not hesitate 10 proclaim himself a
patriot. To do 50 nov, | am well
aware. Is sometimes To invite the
slleerS Of cyniciSm. Bur why should
any true American not be free 10 say
i am d patriot. wholly evoted to my
country. which | hold Ia he Gods best