The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1920-09-17
specifically that we would be untrue II
we did not keep our word.

bpeclncaIly that we would be untrue II
we did not keep our word.
Replying further to a question
which perhaps | ought not to have
considered necessary, the President
pronounced a moral obligation of
course, superior to a legal obligation
and Of a greater binding force.
What then becomes of the argument
that Congress, not the President, In
This instance at any rate, might keep
us out of war? Technically, of course.
1t could do so. Morally, with equal
certainty, 1t could not do SO, nor would
1t ever dc so. The American people
would never permit a reputation of a
debt of honor.
Am / not right, my countrymen, in
saying that we needed only the out.
break of war between Poland and Rus
sia 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 restraining hand
OF the Senate, and to fetch home to us
the danger of committing our country
in advance to causes that we know not
Of?
One can have no quarrel with those
who have convinced themselves that
our underlying purpose in entering the
great conflict was to create a League
of Nations. The fact remains, how
ever, that no such intent was officially
acclaimed, no allusion, nor even a 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.
1t so happened that l made the con-
Guiding speech upon the war resolu
tion, from my place in the Senate, en-
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 maintenance of just
American rights, which is the first es-
sential to the preservation of the soul
of this republic. / vote for this joint
resolution to make war, not a war
thrust upon us, If l could choose the
language of the resolution, but war
declared in response to affronts, war
that will at least put soul into our
American life, war not fof the cause
of the allies of Europe, war not for
France, beautiful as the sentiment may
be in reviving at least our gratitude
to the French people; not precisely a
war for civilization, worthy and in
| spring as that would be, but war that
| speaks for the majesty of the people
properly governed, who finally are
brought to the crucial test where they
are resolved to get together and wage
conflict for the maintenance of their
rights and the preservation of theil
covenant inherited from their fathers
1--WE have given to the world the
spectacle of great nation that coulc
make war without selfish intent. We
unsheathed the sword some eighteen
wears ago for the first time in the his
tory of the world, in the name of hu
manitv. and we gave proof to the worlC
at that time of an unselfish nation
Now. whether it is the fate, or fortune
or travail of destiny, 1t has come tt
us to unsheath the sword again, mo-
alone for humanity's sake-thougf
that SPLENDID inspiration will be In
volved-but to unsheath the sworc
against a great power in the mainten
ance of the rights of the republic, II
the maintenance which will give to III
a new guaranty of nationality. That's
the great thing. and | want 1t known
Mr.. President, and senators. that TINS
is the impelling thought for me, fol
one, in casting my vote.
aft is for that same guaranty o
nationality that / stand today an(
shall continue to stand infiexibly, 81
long as I shall be permitted to live
The independence Of our great repub
lie Is to me a priceless and sacred IN
baritance Time was when an Ameri
.oon did not hesitate to proclaim him
self a patriot To do so now, an
well aware, is sometimes to invite tn
enaers of cynicism.. But why snoul'
onv true American not be free to sa.
Il am a patriot, wholly devoted to M
country, which hold to be Gods oes
insniration to man for higher attain
ment and the promotion OF the Worlu
best civilization?
"But I have a special reason TO
,,oLinq this reference today. l chal
Ionoe the statement that the patriotism
n,bicb holds America first comprehend
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