New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-29

admitted specifically that we would
be untrue if we did not keep our
word
."Repyins further to question
which perhaps | ought not to have
considered necessary, the President
pronounced moral obligation of
course, superior to a legal obligation,
and of greater linding force
What then becomes of the argu-
ment that Congress, not the Presi-
dent, IN this instance at any rate,
might keep us out OF warp Techni-
cally, of course, it could do so. Moral
~, with equal certainty. it could not
do so. nor would it ever do so. The
American people would never permit
a repudi. ion of a debt of honor. No
Congress would e~er dare make this
nation appe-r as a welchcr, as it
would appear and would be in such an
event before the eyes Of tho world.
Am not right, my countrymen, in
saying that we needed only the out
break of war between Poland and Rus
STA to make us realize at least one of
the things which, in the words of Sec
rotary 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?
Our Purpose in Entering War
'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 sug-
gestlon 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 made the con-
cludlng speech upon the war resolu-
tlon from my place in the Senate on
the night of April 4, 1917. These were
my own words at that timc
want it known to the people of
my state and to the nation that I 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.
1 vote for this joint resolution to
make war, not war thrust upon us,
If l could choose the language of the
resolution, but war declared in re-
spouse to aifronts; a war that will at
least put soul into our American life;
war not for the cause of the allies
of Europe, q war not for France, beau
tlful as the sentiment NAV be in re-
viving at least our gratitude to the
French people; not precisely war for
civilization, worthy and inspiring as
that would be; but war that speaks
tor the majesty of people properly
governed, who finally are brought to
the crucial test where they are re-
solved to get together and wage con-
hict for the maintenance OF their rights
ana the preservation of the covenant
inherited from their fathers.
we have given to the world the
spectacle Of q 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.
manlty, and we gave proof to the world
at that time of an unselhsh nation.
Now, whether it is the fate, or fortune,
or travail of destiny it has come to us
to unsheathc the sword again. not
alone for humanity's sake though that
splendid inspiration will be involved
but to unsheathe the sword against a
great power in the maintenance of the
nights Of the republic in the main
tenance which will give to us new
guaranty of nationality. That's the
great thing, and want it known, MIR.
President and Senator's. that this is the
impelling thought with me for one,
when cast my vote
Guaranty of Nationality
ut is for that same guaranty of ma
tionality' that stand to-day, and shall
f cOntinUp n stand iD6ov;hlx, co low. go.
shall be permitted to live The in
dependence Of our great Republic is
to me priceless and sacred inheri-
lance. Time was when an American
did not hesitate to proclaim himself a
patriot. To do so now, | am we'll
aware. is sometimes to invite the
sneers of cynicism. But why should
any true American not be free to say:
l am patriot, wholly devoted to my
country, which l hold to be Gods best
inspiration to man for higher attain
ment and the promotion Of the worlds
best civilization? p Perhaps that sounds
trlte or commonplace. But can it be
too often said or thought as a reminder
Of our plain duty and our abiding
source Of inspiration?
But have a special reason for
making this reference to-day. chal-
lenge the statement that the patriot
ism which holds America first compre-
hcnds either narrowness or sclfishness.
or AS implying tact suspicion and jeal-
ousy of other peoples. On the con-
trary. it is the bearer Of the greatest
good will, the kindliest of feeling. the
best Of fraternity and the most help
full of spirits.
"To assert, as some have assert
ed hcedlcssly. that those of us who
honestly believe that America can
best serve all mankind as America,
free and untrammeled, rather than
as one in a pitiabe minority among
many states in merged world gov
crnment, lack consciousness of the
rightful demands of humanity, is to
utter gross and objectionable libel.
10 attribute mcanness to those of us
who, in the performance Of our public
duty refused to participate in what we
/ sincerely regarded as a betrayal of our
own country in the interest Of others,
is to discredit the intelligence and dis
elimination of the great mass Of Amer
lean people who directly by their votes
put us IN our positions of trust For my
self, yield 20 no man in willingness,
aye, in eagcrncss, to render the great
/ est cone eivable assistance to the
stricken peoples of Europe. | include
all of them and speak with a genu-
/ inely sympathetic heart, whether it
is TO mention devastated France or
sorcly-trled italy, or nobly struggling
Poland, or distracted and misguided
Russia or gallant little Belgium, or
ptiably deceived Austria, or the ruth
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