The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05

ing almost from the time of the
signing OF the armistIce, pfacti-
caIIy the whole civilized worIo mas
nad Its attention turned TO the
question OF combination of the
powers of the world Tor the pre-
venuon of future international
clashes. Woodrow Wilson shocked
a great many people by leaving the
country of which ne was then chief
executive and going to france tu
try to put through the league of
nations. He succeeded in this
abroad, but met an insurmountable
obstacle at home in the United
States senate.
But a few days ago the last of
the treaties negotiated at the re-
cent conference here for the limi-
tation of national ornaments was
ratified by the senate. These treat
les, it is sincerely hoped, will give
the world a breathing spell at least,
if not prove permanent panacea
for troubles between the nations of
the earth.
1t is not to be expected that such
great undertaking as grouping
the worlds nations in bonds OF
common advantage and accord can
be accomplished perfectly in a
short time. Our own country we
look upon now as indissoIubly
bound together. Yet in its early
days it went through such difficult
ties and internal trials that the
statesmen of Europe were cOntin-
ually expecting the complete break
down of the American expert
ment" AS lately as 60 years ago,
two sections of our country were
engaged in bitter strife, one part
seeking to separate itself from the
other because of conflicting Opin-
ions touching the views of the linn
it's to which the rights of states
extended.
The efforts to bind the nations
of the world together to some ex-
tent are not unrelated to the early
struggles to make one nation of the
new states on this continent. The
first plan under which they were
united proved a failure, and led TO
the formation and adoption of the
constitution. Regardless of what
individuals may think of some of
the late amendments to that in
strument-notably the 1Sth-it is
today the oldest constitution of the
Oldest continuous government in
the world. according to Arthur
Deerin Call, secretary of the Amer
lean Peace society, and editor of
the Advocate of Peace.
Would Extend Law and Order.
This organization, which has
been in existence since 1915, pur-
poses to prevent the injustices of
war by extending the methods OF
law and order among the nations.
The society has just completed a
booklet giving a valuable history of
the formation of our republic, with
the suggestion that the lessons set
forth in those events are of great
value in considering the proven
ton of war throughout the world.
The first great document in the
move of the colonies to free them
selves from the British crown was,
AZ every school child knows, the
DeclaT alton of Independence, issued
July 4, 1875. 1t was not until
100, LIldI Tue
went into effect. During the years
between, the infant republic was
struggling to bind the several
states into one whole which would
stand the test of time and trouble.
A committee was appointed by
congress to draw up the articles
of confederation at the same time
the committee was named to draft
the Declaration of independence
June II, 1878. The articles were
adopted on Nov. Is of the same
year, but were not ratified by all
the IS states until March 1, 1881.
Because the legislatures of the
new states ratified the articles of
confederation, but the people did
not 90 so by direct vote, it was felt
in many quarters that the instru-
ment had no binding force. Some
states failed to comply with all Of
the provisions. Some encroached
on the authority of the federal gov
eminent, newly set up. States tres
passed on each others rights. Com
mercial conditions became desper-
ate. There was no adequate judi
ciary, especially for settlement Of
disputes between the states. Con-
gress found itself unable TO col