The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-09
The Wilson Letter.

| 1T Is with kecnest regret that find that
am TO be deprived Of the pleasure and priv
lege Of joining you and the other loyal Dem
ocrats who are to assemble tonight 10 cello
brate jackson day and renew their VOWS d
/ fidelity 10 the great principles of our party
l the principles which must now fulfil thu
hopes, not only Of our own people, but d
| the world.
The United States enjoyed the spiritual
| leadership Of the world until the Senate OF
| the United States failed to ratify The treaty
by which the belligeront nations sought 20
effect the settlements for which they had
fought throughout the war. 1t is inconceiv-
able that at this supreme crisis and iinal
turning point in the international relations
6f the whole world. when the results of the
great war are By no means determined and
are still Questionable and dependent upon
events which no man can fonsee or count
upon the United States should withdraw
from the concert of progressive and enlight-
ned nations by whom Germany was defeat
ed and similar governments III the world be
so unhappy as 20 contain any warned Of the
certain consequences Of any attempt Of a
like inequity, and yet that Is the effect Of
the course the Senate Of the United States
has taken with regard to the treaty Of YER
sailles.
Germany Is beaten, but we are still at
war with her, and the old stage is reset for
repetition OF the old plot. It Is nov ready
for the resumption Of the old offensive and
defensive alliances which make peace settle
msnt impossible. II is now open again 10
every sort of intrigue The old systems are
free TO resume their former abominabie &C
tivitios. They are again at liberty to make
II impossible for governments 10 be cure
what mischief is being worked among their
own people. what internal disorders are be-
ing fomcntcd. Without the covenant OF the
league OF nations. there may be as many Sc
cref treaties as ever, to destroy the conn.,
donce OF governments in each othr, and their
dencc Of governments in each other, and sheir
objects we protested TO be fighting for has
been secured or can be made certain or with
out this nations ratification OF the treaty
andsits entry into the covenant
This nation entered the great war to vim
dicate its own rights and 30 protect and pre-
serve free government. IL went INTO the war
TO see IL through to the end, and the end has
not yet come. Ii went into the war to make
an end of militarism, TO furnish guarantees
10 weak nations, and to make just and
lasting peace. II entered II with noble en-
thusiasm. Five Of the leading beiiigersns
have accepted the treaty, and formal ratifca-
tions will soon be exchanged The question Is
" hefh1r this country viii enter and enter
whole-hcartcdly. II II does not do so, the
United States and Germany will play lone
hand in the world. The maintenance OF the
peace Of the world and the effective execu-
ton of the treaty depend upon the whole
hearted participation OF the United States:
am not stating II rs matter OF power. Inc
point is that the United States Is the only
nation which has sufficient moral force with
the rest Of the world 10 guarantee the sub
stitution Of discussion for war. II We keep
out of this agreement II we do not give our
guarantees, then another attempt will be
made 20 crush the new nations OF Europe.
Il do not BELIEVE that this is what the poo
pie of this country wish or viii be satisfied
with. Personally ! do not accept the action
# the Senate Of the United States rs the
decision Of the nation. have asserted from
The first that the overwhelming majority OF
the people Of this country desire the ratifca-
ton Of the treaty. and my impression TO
that effect has recently been eontifmed ny
he unmistakahle evidences of public opinion
given during my visit TO IL Of the states.
nave endeavored to make 1t plain that If the
Senate wishes 10 say what the undoubted
meaning of the league is, | shall have no OBJ
lection. There can be no reasonable objec-
lion to interpretations accompanying the act
of ratification itself But when the treaty is
lcted upon. ! must know whether Il means |
that we have ratified or rejected it
We cannot rcwritc this treaty. We must
AXE II without changes which alter its mean
ng or leave ID and then, after the rest o.
he world has signed IL. we must face the
inthinkahle task CT making another kind OF
treaty with Germany. But no mere asser-
ions with regard to the wish and opinion !
II the country are considered. If there $
my doubt as 70 what the people Of the coun- I,
~ think on this vital matter, the clear and /
Jingle way out of il rs to submit II Tor /
let rYn ination at the next election 10 The |
fotes of the nation. to give the next cleo /
ion the form of n great and solemn referen- l
iunn. a referendum as To thu part the United /
states is TO play in completing the settle
ncnts of the war and in the prevention in 1
he future OF such outrages as Germany nj.
cnptcd 70 pcrpctrate. We have no moral i
light 20 refuse now 20 take part in the exc 4
ution and administration OF these settle \
nents than we had 70 refuse 10 take part in |
he fighting OF the last few weeks Of ne
var which brought victory and made i pos
ible to dictate 20 Germany what the settle /
rents should be. Our fidelity to cur associ-
l., IL sr and no whole 1
uture Of mankind. II will be hcartening 10
he whole world to know what the attitude
nd purpose of the people Of the United
tHfes Is. T.
~ spoke Just now OF the spiritual leader
hip Of the United States. thinking Of inter
aticnal affairs. But there is another spirit
- leadership which is open TO Us and
ihich We can assume. The world has been
lade safe for democracy. but democracy has
Ct been finally vindicated. All sorts Of
rirnes are being committed in its name. all
,rts OF prrpcstrrous pcrversions OF its doc
-ines and practices are being attenpted.
his. in my Judgment. Is 70 be the treat
r5viiege Of the democracy Of the United
tptcs. 20 show that Il can lead the way in
ie solution of the great social and indus
nal problems Of our time. and lead the way
a happy. settled order Of life. rs wei As
political liberty. The program for this
-hicvernent VIC must attempt to formulate.
nd IN carrying Il out We shall do more than
IN be done in any other way 70 sweep out
existence the tyrannies and arbitrary
TINS q power which are now Incorporating
nd-r the name Of popular government
Whenever We lock back 20 Andrew Jack
N. We should draw fresh inspiration from
e chs meter and errunnle His mind graspec
18th such a splendid defniteness and tirm-
- the principle cf national authority and
sfic1ai artfc1. He was iniornitshle in
5 purpose to give reality to the principles
the Covcrnu1cnt. that thE l. VIZ forfu-
ate time % real his carver ard to renew
" vows Of faifhfulnczs 20 he principles
u the pure rrzctices q dcmocr>cy. ! -
srr L, fofr rrrs in this renewal cf fair and