Connecticut western news., 1920-09-09

ole If we should fail to contribute ap The President first replied, as thought somewhat evaslvely, that we would be our own judges as to wheth- eI we were obliged in those circum- stances to act in that way or not Pressed f-rther, however, in response to query incorporating the assumD- tien that the case provided for ana prescribed had arisen and that the extraneous attack did exist precisely President admitted specifically that 'wa would be untrue if we did not keep our word
 Replying further to question which perhaps I ought not to have considered necessary. the President pronounced moral obligation of course, superior to 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 war2' Technically, of course, 1t could do so. Morally, with equal certainty, 1t could not do so nor would it ever do so. The American people would never permit repudia- ton of debt of honor.
 "Am I not right, my countrymen, in saying that we 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 that we know not off
 Not Our Purpose.
 "One can have DO quarrel with those who have convinced themselves that our underlying purpose in entering the great conflict was to create league of nations The fact remains, how ever, that no such intent was officially acclaimed, no allusion, nor even sug- gestion to 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 to cast my vote in favor of that resolution. It so happened that 1 made the con- cluding 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:
 "I want 1t known to the people of my state and to the nation that l am voting for war tonight for the main tenance of just American rights, which is the first essential to the preserva- ton of the soul of this republic.
 "T vote for this joint resolution to make war, not a war thrust upon us, if I could choose the language of the resolution, but a war declared in re- sponse to affronts; war that will at least put a soul into our American life; a 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 war fur civilization, worthy and inspiring as that would be; but . war that speaks for the ma iesty of a pe%.is s-Speriy goye-saA .A> 5A= - -==ss.s. to the crucial test z~ssss =s=ey .rs re- solved to get together and wage con- flict for the maintenance of their rights and the preservation of the covenant inherited from their fathers
 we have given to the world the spectacle of a 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 unselfish na- ton. Now, whether 1t 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 be involved--but 10 unShpathe the sword against a great power in the maintenance of the rights of the re- public, in the maintenance which will give to us a new guaranty of nation ality. That's the great thing, and l want 1t known, Mir President and sen ators, that this Is the impelling thought with me for one, when l cast my vote.
 For Same Guaranty Today.
 Tt Is for that same guaranty o1 na- tionality' that I stand today, and shall continue to stand infexibly, so long as shall be permitted to live. The independence of our great republic is to me priceless and sacred inheri- tance. Time was when an American did not hesitate to proclaim himself a patriot To do so now, l am well aware, is sometimes to invite the sneers of cynicism. But why should any true American not be free to say |: I am a 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 s best civiliZationT
 "But ! have a special reason for thic roforonon todou ho