Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-06
CHAPTER Tx.


prize thesis, also expressed himself
as follows with reference to an as
ISOLATION of nations:
The one permanent move for
obtaining peace which has yet
been suggested with any reas-
enable chance IF obtaining it's
object is by an agreement
among the great powers. in
which each should pledge itself
not only to abide by the deci-
sions of that common tribunal.
but to back with force the de-
cision of that common tribunal.
The great civilized nations of
the world which do not possess
force, actual or immediately DO
tential, Should combine bv SOL
emn agreement in a great world
league for the peace Of right
eousneSs.
Upon the president taking up the
League of Nations fight, Senator
Lodge drew away from it aS if in
fear and trembling and began dis
GUESSING our responsibilities abroad,
evidencing a complete change Of
heart. He no longer asked Ameri'
cans to be generous and fearless, but
said:
The hearts of the vast major
ity of mankind would beat on
strongly without any quickening
if the league were to perish al
together.
Lodges First Objection
The first objection to the League
of Nations urged by Senator Lodge
was that it involved the surrender
of our sovereignty. There is ~trlk-
ing analogy between the argument
of Senator Lodge and those put
forth by gentl omen in Washington S
day who feared that the proposed
constitution which was destined to
establish a federal union would mean
danger, oppression and disaster.
Mr.. Singletary, of Massachusetts,
Mr.. Lowndes of South Carolina, Mr.
Grayson of Virginia, even Patrick
Henry himself foresaw the virtual
subjugation of the states through a
constitution, which at that time was
often called the treaty between the
thirteen states.
AS Senator Brandegee and others
contended that the covenant or the
League of Nations was a muddy;
murky and muddled document" so
Mr.. Williams, of New York, in 1888,
charged Ambiguity against the
proposed constitution, saying that 1t
was absolutely impossible to know
what we give up and what we re-
tain"
Mandates and similar bogies had
their counterpart in Washington S
day. George Mason, fearful like
Senator Sherman of Illinois in lat
or day, unprecedented the possloil-
itv of congress calling in the militia
of Georgia to quell disturbances IN
New Hampshire"
The attitude of George Washing
ton in his day was very similar 10
that of Woodrow Wilson. Writing
to Knox on August 10, 1897, he said:
"I am fully persuaded it me;nlng
the federal constitution is the pest
that can be obtained at this time.
And. as a constitutional door is open
for amendment hereafter, our adop-
ton of it. under the present c1rcum-
stances of the union is, in my opln-
ion. desirable" And of the oppon'
ents of the proposed constitution, ne
said: 1.-THE major part of them WILL
II is to be feared, be governed py
sinister and self-important mo-
tives."
Article X as a Focus
The storm center of the whole
fight against the league was the
opposition personally conducted by
Senator Lodge and others Of the Re
publican party against the now-fa'
nous Article x. The basis of the
whole Republican opposition was
their fear that America would have
to bear some responsibility in the
affairs of the world, while the
strength of Woodrow Wilson's posi-
| ton was his faith that out Of the
war, with all it's blood and tears
would come this great consumma
| ton.
1t was the presidents idea that
we should go into the league anc
bear our responsibilities; that we
| should, enter it as gentlemen, scorn
! ing privilege. He did not wish u:
| to sneak in and enjoy its advan
| tages and shirk it's responsibilities
but he wanted America to enter
boldly. and not as a hypocrite.
With reference to the argument
made by Senator Lodge against oul
going into the league, saying thai
| it would be a surrender Of Ameri
can sovereignty and a loss Of hel
| freedom, the president often asked
| the question on his western trip
How can a nation preserve it's free
| dom except through concerted &C
| ton? We surrender part of our free
dom in order to save the reat Of it
| Discussing this matter one day, he
said: "One cannot have an omelette
| without breaking eggs. By joining
the League of Nations, a nation
loses not it's individual freedom, but
it's selfish isolation. The only free
dom it loses is the freedom to dc
wrong. Robinson Crusoe was free
to shoot in any direction on his is
land until Friday came. Then there
was one direction in which he could