The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-01-16

I United States rs the decision of The
nation. I have asserted from the frs
that the overwhelming majority Of
the people of this country desire the
ratification of the treaty, and my i'm
preston to that effect has recently
been confirmed by the unmistakable
evidences of public opinion given dur.
/ ing my visit to seventeen of the
States. | have endeavored to make
it plain that if the Senate wishes q
say what the undoubted meaning OF
the league is, | shall have no objec-
ton.
There can be no reasonable objec-
ton to interpretations accompanying
the act of ratification itself. But
when the treaty is acted upon, must
know whether it means that we have
ratified or rejected it. We cannot re
write this treaty. We must take it
without changes which alter its mean
ing, or leave it, and then, after the
rest Of the world has signed it, we
must face the unthinkable task Of
making another and separate kind of
treaty with Germany. But no mere
assertions with regard to the wish and
opinion Of the country are credited.
If there is any doubt as to what the
people of the country think on this
vital matter, the clear and single way
out is to submit it for determination
at the next election to the voters of
the nation-to give the next election
the form of great and solemn refer
enCum, referendum as to the part
the United States is to play in COM
pleting the settlements of the war and
in tie prevention in the future of such
outrages as Germany attempted to
perpetrate. We have no more moral
right to refuse now to take part in
the execution and administration Of
these settlements than we had to re-
fuse to take part in the fighting CT
the last few weeks of the war, which
brought victory and made it possible
to dictate to Germany what the settle
mcnts should be. Our fidelity to our
associates in the war is in question and
the whole future of mankind. 1t will
be heartening TO the whole world to
know the attitude and purpose of the
people Of the United States.
| spoke just now of the spiritual
leadership of the United States, think
ing of international affairs. But there
is another spiritual leadership which
is open to us and which we can assume.
The world has been made safe for
democracy, but democracy has not
been finally vindicated. All sorts Of
crimes are being committed in its
name. All sorts Of preposterous per-
versions of its doctrines and practices
are being attempted. This, in my
judgment, is to be the great privilege
of the democracy Of the United States,
to show that it can lead the way in
the solution of the great social and in
dustrial problems Of our time, and lead
the way to happy settled order of
life as well as to political liberty. The
program for this achievement we must
attempt to formulate, and in carrying
it out we shall do more than can be
done in any other way to sweep out
of existence the tyrannous and arbi-
trary forms of power which are now
masquerading under the name of pop
ular government.
Whenever we look back to Andrew
Jackson, we should draw fresh inspir-
alton from his character and example.
His mind grasped with such a splen-
did definiteness and firmness the prin-
ciple of national authority and nation
al action. He was SO indomitable in
his purpose to give reality to the prin-
ciples of the government, that this is
a very fortunate time to recall his ca
reer and to renew our vows of faith
fitness to the principles and the pure
practices Of democracy. l rejoice to
join you in this renewal of faith and
purpose. l hope that the whole eve
ming may be of the happiest results as
regards the fortunes of our party and
the nations.