The Republican., 1925-03-05

tries, and no subterfuges. to argue
away the undoubted duty of this coun-
try by reason of the might of its mum
bers, the power of its resources and
its position of leadership in the world,
actively and cOmprehensively to sig
Nifty its approval and to bear its full
share of the responsibility of a can
did and disinterested attempt at the
establishment of a tribunal for the
administration of even-handed jus
tice between nation and nation. The
weight of our enormous influence
must be cast upon the side of a reign
not of force but of law and trial, not
by battle, but by reason.
We have never any wish to inter-
fere in the political conditions of any
other countries. Especially are we
determined not to become implicated
in the political controversies of the
Old World. With a great deal Of hes
itancy, we have responded to appeals
for help to maintain order, protect life
and property, and establish responsi.
bic government in some of the small
countries of the Western Hemisphere.
Our private citizens have advanced
large sums Of money to assist in the
necessary financing and relief of the
Old World. We have not failed, nor
shall we fail to respond whenever nee
essary to mitigate human suffering
and assist in rehabilitation of dis
tressed nations. These, too, are re-
Quirements which must be met by rea-
son of our vast powers and the place
We hold in the world.
Some Of the best thought of man
kind has long been seeking for for
mula for permanent peace. Undoubt-
edly the Qualification Of the principles
of international law would be help
full and the efforts of scholars to pre-
pare such a work for adoption by the
various nations should have our SYM
pathy and support. Much may be
hoped for from the earnest studies Of
those who advocate the outlaWing of
aggressive war. But all these plans
and preparations, these treaties and
covenants, will not Of themselves be
adequate. One of the greatest dam
gers to peace lies in the economic
pressure to which people find them
selves subjected. One of the most
practical things to be done in the
world is to seek arrangements under
which such pressure may be removed,
so that opportunity may be renewed
and hope may be revived. There must
be some assurance that effort and en-
deavor will be followed by success
and prosperity. In the making and
financing of such adjustments there
is not only an opportunity, but real
duty, for America to respond with
her counsel and her resources. Condi-
tions must be provided under which
people can make a living and work
out their difficulties. But there is an
other element, more important than
all. without which there can not be
the slightest hope Of a permanent
peace. That element lies in the heart
of humanity. Unless the desire for
peace be cherished there, unless this
Fundamental and only natural source
of brotherly love be cultivated to its
highest degree, all artificial efforts
will be in vain. Peace will come when
there is realization that only under
a reign of olaw, based on righteous
ness and supported by the religious
conviction of the brotherhood of man
can there be any hope of complete
and satisfying life. Parchment will
fail, the sword will fail, it is only the
spiritual nature of man that can be
triumphant.
1t seems altogether probable that
we can contribute most to these i'm
portant objects by maintaining our
position of independence. We are not
identified with any Old World inter
ests. This position should be made
more and more clear in our relations
with all foreign countries. We are at
peace with all of them. Our program
is never to oppress, but always to as
sist. But while we do justice to 9TH
ers, we must require that justice be
done to US. With US a treaty of peace
means peace, and treaty OF amlty
means amity. We have made great
contributions to the settlement of con-
tentious differences in both Europe
and Asia. But there is very def
mite point beyond which we can not
go. We can only help those who help
themselves. Mindful of these limita-
tions, the one great duty that stands
out requires us to use our enormous
powers to trim the balance Of the
world.
While we can look with a great deal
of pleasure upon what we have done
abroad, we must remember that our
continued success in that direction de-
pends upon what we do at home.Since
its very outset, it has been found nee
essary to conduct our Government by
means of political parties. That sys-
TEN would not have survived from
generation to generation if it had not
been fundamentally sound and pro-
vided the best instrumentalities for
the most complete expression of the
popular will. 1t is not necessary to
claim that it has always worked per-
fectly. 1t is enough to know that
nothing better has been devised. No
one would deny that there should be
full and free expression and an op-
portuhity for independence Of action
within the party. There is no saliva
ton in a narrow and bigoted parti-
sanship. But if there is to be re-
sponsible party government, the par
ty label must be something more than
a mere device for securing office. I'm
less those who are elected under the
same party designation are willing
to assume sufficient reSnOnSibilitV and