New-York tribune., 1921-04-20


which at last brought them to crisis
in the great war. In the last half
century our American common
wcalths have not only been able to
hold themselves aloof from compel
'tions In armament, but they have
built up system of internationnl
arbitration and adjudication which
has constantly lessened the danger
Of armed conflict. There Is too
little realization Of the progross that
has been made toward judicial end
arbitral settlement Of international
differences by the American nations.
1t presents an example well worthy
earnest consideration and. affords us
an assurance which will Justify our
purpose to invite the present day
civilization to cast aside the stag
gcring burden Of armament
Dynastics Hateful to Democracy
Much Of The New World accom-
plishmcnt is largely duo to demo-
cratic institutions. We have rot
known the conflicting ambitions Of
dynasties. We have had little cx-
perience with secret alliances and
devious diplomacies. In their very
nature our democratic institutions
have tended to keep us aloof from
these things.
with all humanity, but in all sim
ccrity and earnestness, feel that
we Americans, North and South, are
entitled to hold that our democ-
racy has come as a light into the
world of international relations, and
that it will show us way out Of the
worlds present troubles into a day
n N v jvS
plenty and happiness, and when the
first duty of organized society may be
to promote the welfare Of its mem
bers rather than to array itself in
power against the threat of its de-
struction.
1.-The doctrine proclaimed under
Monroe, which ever since has been
jealously guarded as a fundamental
OF our own Republic, maintained
that these continents should not
again be regarded as fields for the
colonial enterprises Of Old World
powcrs. There have been times
when the meaning Of Monroeism
was misunderstood by some, per-
vc~tcd by others and made the sub
Ject of distorting propaganda by
those who saw in it an obstacle to
the realization Of their own ambi-
tions. Some have sought to make
our adhesion to this doctrine
justification for prejudice against
the United States. They have
falsely charged that We sought t.
hold the nations of the Old World at
arms length, in order that we might
monopolize the privilege of exploita-
tion for ourselves. Others have pro-
tested that the doctrine would never
be enforced if to enforce it should
involve us in actual hostilities
"The history of the generations
since that doctrine was proclaimed
has provedA that we never intended it
selhshly; that we had no dream of
exploitation. On the other side, the
history of the last decade certainly
must have convinced all the world
that we stand willing to fight, il
necessary, to protect these CONT
nents, these sturdy young democra-
cies from oppression and tyranny.
"Surely we may contemplate with
some satisfaction the vindication
that our American system has won
Under it, in a period so brief that
history records no parallel for the
achievement, we have filled two
continents with splendid and pros
porous states. We have maintained
ourselves independent of the older
systems, aloof from their differences
and struggles. We have erected in
these continents great power,
which when civilization was at stake
we dared to cast into the scale on
the side of right; and we have seesl
its weight have deciding part in
the cause of human justice.
HThic n1nch Avn r,-tCo
has wrought by way of its own justi-
ticnton. Surely we may look upon
our work and decide for ourselves
whether it has been good. Believing
that it has been good, we may we'll
decide there can be no departure
from the standards that were raised
for us by the founding fathers.
"1f we could consult our Wash
ington and our Bolivar to-day, and
if they could advise US out of their
wisdom and experience, they would
tell US to go forward in firm conf
dence that ours is the right course
believe they would admonish US to
cling to that which has been tried,
to hold fast to the institutions Of
moderation, Of independence, of grad
ual but sure progress. If they, and
all the other patriots who gave their
blood, their genius and their lives to
establish free institutions Upon this
continent, should be summoned to our
council, they would survey what our
system has accomplished for our own
countries and for the world in the
hour Of its uttermost agony. and they
would tell US that our genera ion had
wrought into the substance Of splen-
did achievement that which in their
day was but hopes vision of bet
ter world.
eve have created no Utopia here j