The New York herald., 1921-04-20

the northern revolt. Geographical condi-
tions and the longtime isolation OF the
southern colonies from one another
made il wen nigh impossible to effect
union among them. II was the dream OF
Bolivar. but even his genius was not
equal TO its accomplishment. Conse-
quently our thirteen colonies. when their
revolt had succeeded set themselves up.
not as thirteen independent nations. but
as one nation comprised of thirteen fed
Grated States. The sheer force OF gravity
has caused their union to expand.
But we would make grave mis-
take. I think, II We concluded too read
lily that our North American experience
had all the advantage on its side. While
we of the northern continent have been
demonstrating one great truth about
the democratic form OF Government
that through representative institutions
ii can be expanded successfully to include
vast imperial dominion and indefi-
nitely increa easing populations, the south
ern continent has been proving an
equally important truth. 1t Is. namely
that a family of States. entirely sover-
eign and independent, may live together
in the same continental area. in pros
.perity and progress.
Neither continent has escaped from
t'e mis1ortunes OF war and revolution.
We have had our contests. industrial
and civil, but on the whole the tendency
under our republican institutions has
been toward establishment of those
means OF conclliation, arbitration and
judicial determination by which the
menace of war Is lessened. No Ameri-
can State succumbed to the temptation
OF that militaristic system which laid
ever increasing burdens upon nations
elsewhere and which at last brought
them to crisis in the great war.
I'm the last half century our Ameri-
can Commonwealths have not only been
able to hold themselves aloof from COM
petitions in armament but they have
built UP a system of international arbi-
tration and adjudication which has con-
stantly lessened the danger OF armed
conflict. There is too little realization Of
the progress that has been made toward
judicial and arbitrary settlements by
the American nations. 1t presents an
example well worthy earnest consider
alton and affords us an assurance which
will justify our purpose to invite the
present day civilizas,J IN to cast aside the
staggering burden oc armament
New World AccompIishmen
Much OF the new world accomplish
ment is largely due to democratic insti-
tutions. We have not known the con-
fiicting ambitions of jynasties. We have
had little experience with secret alli-
ances and devious diplomacies. In their
very nature our democratic institutions
have tended to keep us aloof from these
things.
with all humility, but in all sin
certify and earnestness, / feel that we
Americans, north and south, are en-
titled to hold that our democracy has
come as a light into the world of inter-
national relations and that it will show
us a way out of the worlds present
troubles into day when mankind may
know peace and plenty and happiness
and when the first duty OF organizes
society may be to promote the welfare
OF It's members rather than to array
itself In power against the threat of its
destruction.
THE doctrine procl aimed under Mon
roe. which ever since has been jealousIy
guarded as a fundamental OF our own
republic. maintained that these conti-
nents should not again be regarded as
fields for the colonial enterprises OF old
world Powers. There have been times
when the meaning OF Monroesm was
misunderstood by some, perverted by
others and made the subject OF distort-
ing propaganda by those who saw in 1t
an obstacle to the realization OF their
own ambitions. Some have sought to
make our adhesion to this doctrine q
justification for prejudice against the
United States. They have falsely
charged that we sought to hold the ma
tions OF the old world at arms length
in order that we might monopolize the
privilege OF exploitation for ourselves
Others have protested that the doctrine
would never be enforced II to enforce
II should involve us In actual hostilities
THE history of the generations since
that doctrine was proclaimed has proved
that we never intended IL sel1shly thar
we had no dream of exploitation. on