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The Commoner.
MAY 23, 1913
proper encouragement but knowing that com
mercial intercourse rests Cor its value as well
as for its permanence upon mutual advantage
ho will insist that American business men shall
carry into the countries to the south of us the
highfst conceptions of honor and good faith and
that in their dealings they shall give a dollar's
worth of service for each dollar that they collect
as compensation.
There should be an intellectual exchange be
tween the American republics a3 well as an ex
change of commodities. The intellectual life of
all the countries should be quickened by ac
quaintance and a comparison of views. Every
effort should bo made to stimulate an inter
change of thought and an inspection of methods
of instruction should be invited. A part of that
increasing stream of travel that has fertilized
the old world should bo diverted to the south.
Especially should our instructors be urged to
give some of their vacations to a study of the
institutions, conditions and possibllites of the
republics of Central and South Ameri a.
There already is throughout the United States
a marked increase in ,tho study of the Spanish
language and there should be a still greater in
crease in the future. This language, rich in
literature, is one of the most rapidly-growing of
the languages. It is destined to be a century
hence the spoken word of a much larger num
ber than use it today.
Why not bring instructors from the Latin
American countries? They would not only
quicken the interest of students but they would
bring with them an increasing number of stu
dents from their own countries and thus multi
ply the bonds of unity which would unite the
Pan-American nations.
The American union is considering an exten
sion of its work in this very direction and I
wish to give to the proposition my most cordial
support. The Canal Zone should be made a
meeting-place for those who would acquaint
themselves with the peoples and ways of the
other American nations a clearing house where
intellectual exchanges can be made.
Closer acquaintance and more intimate re
lationship will enable us to profit by each other's
experience. Dedicated to the doctrines of popu
lar government these republics can, by their
experiments, help each ether, each borrowing
what others have demonstrated to be good.
In the matter of ideals, too, we can aid each,
other. The ideal is the one thing of value which
can not be monopolized. If anyone has a higher
ideal than we it is our own fault, for it can be
ours at our will. It is fortunate for us that
this most valuable of possessions can pass freely
from nation to nation, unvexed by custom laws.
But no matter what phase of the subject we
consider we find oursolves returning to the one
basic proposition namely: That wo must deal
with each other sympathetically. The con
sciousness of this relation of this kinship, if I
may describe it as such is the first step toward
friendly relations between individuals and be
tween nations.
And after all, it is the controlling force which
will shape the future. Carlylo, in the closing
chapters of his "French Revolution,"" said that
thought is mightier than artillery parks and ,at
last moulds the world like soft clay; and then
he added a supreme truth when he said that
behind thought is love.
There is no great thought which does not
come from the heart; love Is the only weapon
for which there is no shield in time It must
overcome all opposition.
In proportion as we bring ourselves into har
mony with this fundamental and universal law
we shall contribute to each other's advancement
and hasten the coming of that day when our
highest -rivalry will be that of honorable effort
to see which can hold highest the torch that
lights all to higher ground.
THE GREATEST OF SHIPS
Mr. Bryan's toast at the farewell breakfast
given at the Army and Navy club on the morning
of May 13th, to the commissioners from Great
Britain and Canada, assembled to formulate
Plans for the celebration in 1914 of the century
of peace between Great Britain and the United
States, said:
Mr. Chairman: I have delivered three ad
dresses of welcome to our visitors but will have
i 2Se word of farew1L and that is In keep
ing with the environment which surrounds us
mis morning.
Wo are met in the building of the Army and
;ayy cllb and the fact that we are the g uests
oi those who represent these two arms of the
government suggests the thought which I pre
sent in bidding you adieu.
While wo aro the advocates of poace we are
really engaged in the construction of a battle
ship which is to be the very culmination the
climax of the seaman's art. Man has beon
engaged in the construction of water craft since
the Happing sail first whispered its secret of
strength to tho voyager. Ho has designed ves
sels for pleasure, for commerce and for war.
Wo havo had tho galley, tho Viking's ship, tho
frigate, tho iron-clad, and tho dreadnought.
But no limit can bo placed to tho ambitions of
man as a builder and I ank you to join mo In
proposing a toast to a ship, more potent than
any which man has thus far employed In war
a ship with whoso coming man's highest hopes
will be realized, for there is nothing beyond.
Here's to tho greatest of ships. Its compass
is tho human heart. Its shells aro bursting with
good-will. Love is the smokeloss powder that
impels tho projectiles which it sondB forth. Tho
Prince of Peace is its captain. I propose as tho
consummation of our desire tho enduring, the
indestructible battleship, whose armor nothing
can pierce FRIEND-SHIP.
Tho breakfasters arose and joined a Cana
dian delegate In tho sentiment "Wo all enlist
among tho crew."
THE PRESIDENT'S BOLD STAND
FOR TnE RIGHT
President Wilson has Httlo regard for a pre
pedent where its observance happens to bo in
tho way of accomplishing something important
or essential to the public welfare. In tho pre
cedents ho has broken since ho has been the
chief executive of tho nation ho has boon gen
erally Indorsed, as it was in his mind to do
something that would bo of valuablo service to
tho public.
"There isn't much chance of placid, rocking
chair comfort for people that worry about pre
cedents and traditions," says tho New York
Press. "These are 'viewing with alarm' tho in
vasion of New Jersey by Woodrow Wilson in an
effort to arouse public sentiment to tho point
where it can force tho legislature to pass tho
jury reform legislation, declaring that tho pub
lic is moro interested in tho measure than tho
manner, and that the bill ought to pass "its
defeat is inexcusable. The old Jersey method
of jury-drawing makes the jury system a mock
ery," and, continues that paper, "If President
Wilson can force tho passage of such a' measure
by intruding his national prestige Into New Jer
sey, power to his elbow. May he do a lot of
elbowing, anywhere and everywhere, In behalf
of good causes."
The New York Evening Post, In an editorial
commendatory of tho president's course, says
that he is determined to prevent, if possible,
the return of that system of sinister control in
New Jersey which for years sank tho democratic
party of that state into defeat and disgrace, say
ing further that "the ears of tho New Jersey
'jims' must havo tingled as ho was speaking."
Tho New York World says that every word
uttered by President Wilson in denunciation of
the corrupt democratic bosses of Now Jersey
should be read by tho voters of New York, as
the situation in New York is worso than it is
in New Jersey, tho power of Murphy and Barnes
being greater than the power of Smith and Nu
gent. "Boss domination of the Now York legis
lature is more complete and shameless than boss
domination of tho New Jersey legislature."
Speaking further In commendation of the presi
dent, tho World says:
"The democracy of New Jersoy is greatly for
tunate In ono respect, and tho people of tho
state are fortunate with it. It has tho president
of the United States for a leader, and this presi
dent never minces words when ho is dealing
with the party bosses. In his New Jersey
speeches Mr. Wilson wasted no time on glitter
ing generalities. He described the men he was
after in unmistakable terms. He left no hearer
in doubt of their identity.
"That is the way to deal with them, and that
is the way tho New York bosses must be dealt
with. Their sinister power at Albany will never
bo broken until the court of public opinion
leaves them hanging on a gibbet of infamy."
The Springfield, Mass., Republican says that
the Now Jersey speeches made by President Wil
son have a national application in the solemn
warning conveyed to the democratic party con
corning its opportunities; that if the party now
fails to meet the country's expectations, it may
never be given another trial; that the preaching
f that idea was worth while, and that all the
democratic ','gnngs" around,' whether in Now
Jersey or in other states, or in congress, need
to havo such words hammered into their con
sciousness. Prosident Wilson's attltudo toward bosnlBm
In Now .Jorsoy should be accoptod as fair warn
ing to tho bosses In tho other stateB, where mn
chino politicians aro dominating and controlling
public affairs, as tho bold stand tho proBldont
has taken against corrupt politics In Now Jer
sey may reasonably bo concludodo to bo tho atti
tude he will take on similar mattors in other
states, and it may bo imagined with what alarm
tho bosses will look on a general policy along
tho lines employed to turn tho rascals out in
Now Jersey. Naahvillo Tennossean.
PEACH
St. Louis Republic: Secroary Bryan's appear
ance at tho peace conforenco may provo to bo
an ovent of International Importance. Europo
Is attonding closely to what ho says, in tho be
Ilof that his poaco plan may result In bringing
about a wider restraint upon war than has yot
been achieved.
So far as his plans havo beon revealed the
secretary hopes to secure agreements botwoon
tho Unitod States and othor nations undor which
thoro shall always, bo a poriod of deliberation
and investigation before any war is declared.
Thoro aro treaties In force now which provldo
for tho arbitration of cortaln classes of disputes.
They do not cover questions of national honor
and mattors affecting tho vital Interests of the
country. Tho United States sonato has refused
to surrender its power to say whother a ques
tion is of that character or not.
Tho secretary does not propose that there
shall bo a radical change in tho position of the
United States upon that point, but ho does pro
poso that, as to matters not specifically recog
nized as arbitrable, there shall bo agreements
supplementary to tho treaties of arbitration
which shall provldo for commissions to investi
gate and report upon tho facts and law involved
in disputes. Ho would havo such agreements
provide sufficient timo for such Investigations,
and during that timo It would bo understood
that neither of tho nations threatening war
should make preparation for war. Tho report
of tho commission would not bo binding upon
either nation.
Deliberation and a clear knowledge of the
facts aro the two things which tho secretary
hopes to Interpose between tho closing of diplo
matic relations and tho beginning of a war.
Both of them aro powerful agents for tho pre
vention of war. If Secretary Bryan should suc
ceed In negotiating tho treaties ho contemplates
ho will havo achieved a diplomatic triumph of
tho first importance.
GOOD WORDS
P. J. Sheridan, Pa. Enclosed find list of
Commoner subscribers and check for $7.50 to
pay for tho same.
W. A. Woodworth, Denver, Colo. Will yon
kindly send Tho Commoner to tho following
nineteen yearly subscribers; these are all stu
dents of tho Woodworth Shorthand college.
Enclose And money order for $11.40 to pay for
tho same, at your net clubbing rate of COc a
yeaT for Tho Commoner. It gives mo great
pleasure to do this for tho paper. I wish I
had more timo and strength to do more.
FLOOD PREVENTION
President Wilson held a conference with
Governor Cox of Ohio and made it known that
ho intended to order a complete investigation
and report by army engineers on conditions
along tho Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The
president intends to take up tho work of flood
prevention In a characteristic way. It is safe
to say that the all too long delayed work of pro
tecting the people from floods will bo carried to
successful conclusion under tho democratic administration.
Mr. Bryan's Selected Speeches. Revised and
arranged in a convenient two-volume edition.
These books present Mr. Bryan's most notable
addresses and orations, and cover the chief
important phases and features of his career as
an orator and advocate. A familiarly intimate
and interesting biographical Introduction by
Mary Baird Bryan, his wife, opens Volume I.
Tho two volumes, bound In cloth, sent to any
address prepaid on receipt of price, $2.00. The
half leather edition, 2 vols., sent for $3.00,
prepaid. Address Tit Commoner, Lincoln, Neb.
I