The Washington times., 1920-01-09
President Wilson's Message to
jackson Day Dinner

ma,orIty Of the people OF this
country desire the ratification or
the treaty, and my impression TO
that effect has recently been con-
frmed by the unmistakAble evil
dence OF public opinion given
during my visit TO seventeen OF
the States.
have endeayored TO make IL
plain that IL the Senate wishes TO
saw what the undoubted meaning
OF the league is. i shall have no
objection. There can be no rea-
sonable objection TO interpreta-
tions accompanying the act OF
ratification itself. But when the
treaty is acted upon, ! must know
whether IL means that We have
r4tifed OF rejected IL. We can
not rewrIte this treaty. We must
take IL without changes which
alter its meaning. or leave II. and
then, after the rest OF the world
has signed IL. we must face the
unthinkable task OF making an
other and separate Kind OF treaty
with Germany. But no more as
sertions with regard to the wish
and opinion of the country are
credited.
Would sumbit Issue.
II 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 IL for
determination at the next cleo
tion TO the voters OF the nation.
to give the next election the form
of a great ana solemn referen-
dunn, referendum as TO the
part the United States Is TO play
in completing the settlements or
the war and in the 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 ex-
ecution and administration OF
these settlements than we had to
refuse to take part in the fighting
OF the last few weeks OF the war
which brought victory and made
Il possible to dictate to Germany
what the settlements should be.
Our fidelity TO our associates in
the war Is in question, and the
whole future OF mankind. II will
be heartening to the whole world
to know the attitude and pur-
pose of the people OF the United
States.
| spoke Just now Of the spir-
itual leadership OF the United
states, thinking 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 COM
mitted in it's name: al sorts OF
preposterous perversions OF It's
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 industrial prob
lens of our time, and lead the
[, way to- O. happy settled order OF
life as well as to political liberty.
The program for this achievement
we must attempt to formulate,
and in carrying II out we shall
do more than can be done in any
-OtneT way 10 S"Ccp o"t VI SA'SN
ence the tyrannous and arbitrary
forms of, power which are now
masquerading under the name OF
popular government.
French Inspiration
whenever we look back to An
drew jackson we should draw
fresh inspiration from his char
acter and example. His mind
grasped' with such a splendid def
niteness and firmness the prin-
ciple of national activity. He
was so indomitable in his pur-
pose to give reality to the prin-
ciples of the Government that
this is a very fortunate time to
recall his career and to renew our
vows OF faithfulness to the prin-
ciples and the practices of de-
mocracy. / rejoice to join you in
this renewal of faith and pur-
pose. hope that the whole
evening may be of the happfest
results as regards the fortunes