Salt Lake Tribune | 1916-04-21 | Page 6 | Back the President

! BACK THE PRESIDENT. I At this critical period of the history Iof the United States it might be well !to recall the fact that both Washington 'and Jefferson used their powers to the fullest extent to keep the country from participating iu the European struggle that ended in the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo, and that Madison Mad-ison was literally forced into the second sec-ond war with England; it might also be well to bear in mind that Abraham Lincoln did not issue the call for 75,000 men until all other means of preserving the union had failed and that McKinley, feeling the full weight of the responsibility respon-sibility placed upon him as president, did not consent to go lo war with Spain until public sentiment became eo strong that the die had to be cast. In times of great stress, when the passions of the populace arc aroused, it is necessary that the man at the helm of the ship of state steer his course through the troubled waters with a firm hand, with the eye of faith and with the set purpose of bringing the vessel into port with flag unsullied. So far as history teaches us American presidents presi-dents have been slow in plunging the country into war, with the exception ot the fight with Mexico seventy years ago. There have been times when war would have been sanctioned, e eu welcomed, wel-comed, by the people of the country. For instance, we came within an ace of goiDg to war with England over the settlement of the Alabama claims, and the execution of Uaptain Fry and the American filibusters in ( uba caused an explosion of wrath in the United States that would have precipitated a conflict had not the Washington authorities set their faces firmly against it. So far as fighting is concerned, there never has beou a time that the American people w o re not tend y to res pond when the rail came. Evcnis of the pa-t two years have strained the patience of the United Sfute to the utmost, hut at no time ha-i the sober sense of the people given wav. ft is true that this country, as w.d! a- many of the other neutral nations, na-tions, has suffered grievous wrongs iwiongs Giat would call for immediate disavowal and apology, with the alternative alterna-tive of war. if committed by any nation, great, or em? 11, not already involved in a world wide struggle. Yet so far we have endeavored to remain clear of entangle en-tangle ment on either side, ministering to the wants of the innocent sufferers aud binding up the wounds of the com hatnnt in the meantime. If the end of our neutrality is near and wo are compelled com-pelled to go .forth sword in hand, we ihall be proudly conscious of the fact that we go into the fight in behalf of humanity. Tn thi- trying moment let u lay iH-ide party prejudice nnd political pas-! I iion and tand -jhoulde- to shoulder be ! i bine the prestdeut. v. ho. w hatev er his , i -horteomines, repro-ents the power, dig ii' ty and con .' i t w o uf the A merican people, and upon whom will re.t, the responsibility if the young men are j .uimmnnod to ficbt aud if need be die on I 1 (ler the sinn'v fold? of (heir country's I I fag. Let us be Americans fii-,t, la-d ami all the time.