The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-07-22

L understand the purpose OF tHS. UOHii
nant group OF the senate. We wer'
not seeking to defeat world aspira
ton; we were resolved to Safeguard
America We were resolved then
even as we are today, and VIII ot
tomorrow, TO preserve this Tree ans
independent republic. Let those nov
responsible. or seeking responsiDiilt!
propose the surrender, whether WIZ
interpretations, apologies or reluctant
eseryations-from which our rlghts
are to be onitted-we welcome the
referendum to the American people
on the preservation of America, ano
the republican party pledges Its De
tense of the preserved inheritance OF
national freedom
Peace Quickly.
In the call of the conscience OF
America is peace-peace that closes
the gaping wound of world war and
silences Lne impassionec voices OF
international envy and distrust- Heed
ing this call and knowing as ! 90
the disposition of the congress,
promise you formal and effective
peace SO quickly as republican con
gress can pass its declaration Tor a
republican executive to sign Then
we NAV turn to our readjustZnent at
home and proceed deliberately and
reflectively 10 that hoped-for world
relationship which shall satisfy Doth
conscience and aspirations and sui
hold US free from menacing involve
ment
/ can hear In the call of conscience
an fnsistent voice for the largely re
duced ornaments throughout the
world. with attending reduction OF
burdens upon peaceloying humanity
we wish TO give of American influ-
lence and example; We must give OF
American leadership to that inVaIu-
able accomplishment
can speak unreservedly OF the
American aspiration and the repuD-
Ican committal for an association OF
nations, cooperating in sublime &C
cord. 10 attain and preserve peace
through justice rather than force, oe-
terrnined 10 add to security through
international law, SO clarified that no
misconstuction can be possible with.
out affronting world honor
This republic can never be un-
mindful OF its power, and must never
forget the force Of its example. Pos
SCISSOR CT might that admits no fear,
America must stand foremost for the
right IL the mistaken voice II
America, spoken in unheeding haste.
led Europe, ID the hour OF deepest
anxiety, into a military alliance which
-nenacss peace and threatens all free
dom. instead OF adding TO their
security, then we MUST speak the
truth for America and express our
hope for the fraternized conscience
o. nations
Ii win avail nothing TO discuss n
detail the league covenant which
was conceived for world super-goV-
eminent, negotiated in misunder-
standing. and intoIerantly urged and
demanded by its administration
sponsors, VINO resisted every effort 20
safeguard America, and who finally
rejected when such safeguards were
inserted If the supreme biunder mas
LETT European relationships inextric
ably interviewer in the league com
pact, our sympathy for Europe only
uagnifies our own good fortune II
resisting Involvement II Is better 10
be the free and disinterested agent d
international justice and advancing
civilization, with the covenant o.
conscience, than be shackled by a
written compact which surrenders our
freedom Of action and gives to mill
tary alliance the right TO proclaim
Americas duty TO the world No sur
render of rights TO q world council
or its military alliance, no assumed
mandatory however appealing, ever
shall summon the sons OF this re
public 10 war. Their supreme sac
rifce shall only be asked for America
and its call of hInOr. There Is q
sanctity IN that right we will not
delegate.
When the compact was being writ
ten, / do not know whether Europe
asked or ambition insistently b.
slowed II was so good TO rejoice n
the worlds confidence in our unset
fshness that | can believe our evil
dent disinterestedness inspired
Europe's wish for our association,
quite as much as the selfish thought
OF enlisting American power and re
sources. Ours is an outstanding, IN
Iuential example TO the world
whether we cloak it in spoken mod
esty or magnify it in eIaltation- We
want 10 help; we mean TO help: but
we hold TO our own Interpretation OF
the American conscience as the very
soul of our nationality.
Disposed as We are, the way Is
very simple. Let the failure attend
ing assumption, obstinacy, imprac
ticability and delay be recognized
and let US find the big, practical, IN
selfish way to do our part. neither
coyetous because Of ambition MOI
hesitant through fear, but ready tt
serve ourselves, humanity and God
With a senate advising as the con
stitution contempiates, l would hope
fully approach the nations of Europe
and of the earth, proposing that
understanding which makes US a will
ing participant in the consecration
of nations to new relationship, &c
commit the moral forces of the world
America included,to peace and inter
national justice. still leaving America
free, independent and self-reliant, but
offering friendship to all. the world
Americans First.
moro cnaciHa do