Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1920-09-15

contrary to all Of the tendencies devei-
oped by the civilizing processes OF the
world. 1t rested upon the power OF
might, not of right
"The assertion Is made frequently
that through the surrender OF our ma
tionality we might have saved the life
of the covenant-that is to say. that,
although twenty-eight nations could
not make Ii function. one added to the
twenty-eight would have achieved
glowing success. provided. always, that
the one were America.
"This pays to America the tribute
Of exceptional influence, but / suggest
that If the world is dependent upon our
action to bring about the supreme real
ization, then we ought to have the say
about our own freedom In participate
ing therein But let US consider what
is meant by this reliance upon Ameri-
ca. What can 1t signify If not that
II Is to the United States, and to the
United States alone, that the other
twenty-eight nations look for the bone
and sinew, the money, the munitions
and the men to sustain the entire or
ganization. not as an agency Of peace,
Dull as an armed force!
A Telling Admission.
"a few days ago a delegation OF an
organization which calls itself So
ciety for the Prevention of War ap-
pealed to the premier of Great Britain
to unite and use the powers of the
world in defense of Poland, Armenia
and the DardaneIles The British pre-
rniar rapTfad aooordfpr nm his rama rtx G
quoted by the newspapers, TO the eff
feet that, while the formation OF IAN
International army would be AN ideal
solution, II could not be accomplish
ed because the European nations could
not furnish the troops and the United
States had withdrawn from co-opera-
tion'-a polite and diplomatic phrase
and more exactly meaning, of course
that the senate OF the United States
had not completed the partial oblfga
ton assumed by the President to do
that very thing-that is, 10 furnish the
troops Could clearer indication OF
what would have been expected OF this
country as q member OF the league be
desired? Hardly. Some, too. think. or
say they think. that this extraordinary
service should be rendered. ] do not
agree with them, but, assuming that
they are right. / venture to note that
nothing stands In the way OF perform
ance. The President has only TO call
upon Congress TO declare war, and tn
confer upon him specific authority to
raise armies for the protection Of the
powers which, though recently asso
ciated with, are still foreign TO our
own republic
at is reasonably safe to assume,
however, that the President will not
pursue this course. Fortunately, he
is under no compelling moral obliga-
ton under the league TO do so: His
recent unhappy experience. moreover,
I'm asking Congress to send American
boys to police Armenia would hardly
encourage repetition OF a request al
ready courteouslv but quite firmly de
clined by the Congress. What then, In
like circumstances, would be the an
swer OF the British premier himself?
In his own words, addressing a meet
ing OF the Coalition Liberals on Au-
gust II last. according TO the press
reports, he said:
"'When the terrible question of
pence or war has to be decided. our
first duty as a government is to the
people, who trust US not to commit
their treasure to any unjustifiable ad
venture Nothing but the most impera.
tive call or national honor. national
safety md national freedom can Jus
tify war. Before this country is com
mitted TO II, even In the most limited
form, W must be satisfied that these
are In peril
81 quote these telling words. my
countrymeu, with the utmost satisfac-
ton, because with one amendment
they express to nicely my own posi-
ton. i take for granted that the
prime minister meant to include IN
treasure the greatest treasure Of all
but, for myself, ! should leave moth
ing to be inferred Foremost and above
all else to be safeguarded by those
OF us who hold the trust OF the peo-
pie, II goes without saying, but cannot
be too often repeated. is the manhood
of the nation.
Will Not Misuse Power.
snow. II may appear to you that
have been speaking chiefly In the mega.
tive. j make the admission. What is
more, / might continue to do so almost
indefinitely without disadvantage to
our cause. So many things have been
done by the present expiring admins
tration that no power on earth could
induce me to do, that / cannot even
attempt to recount them. l may re-
mark casually, however, that IL should
be, as | fully expect to be. elected
President Of this just and honorable
republic, | will not empower an assist
ant secretary of the navy to draft
constitution for helpless neighbors In
the West Indies and jam II down their
Threats at the point of bayonets borne
By United States marines. We have
higher service for our gallant ma
rines than that Nor will misuse the
power of the executive to cover with
veil Of secrecy repeated acts Of un-
warranted Interference in domestic at
fairs of the little republics of the west
ern hemisphere. such as In the past few
years have not only made enemies of
those who should be our friends. but
have rightfully discredited our country
as their trusted neighbor.