“We as a party willed otherwise.  In the face of bigoted denials of our good faith we sought only concord of all our people in the tasks of American in the world.  There was glory enough for all and we never advanced the claim that it was a partisan matter until the fact had been established through long and weary months of purposeful misunderstanding and unconscionable intrigue for party advantage by our opponents.  There is in this no suggestion of unkind sentiments toward our leading adversaries.  We can utter the sentiment voiced on the hill above Jerusalem and when America has come to understand we stand ready to blot out a dark chapter of our national life and to pronounce a pardon upon a course of conduct charitably covered by ’they know not what they do.’

“There ought to be in this a special appeal to believers in the living faith.  Its purpose to give to all the universal benefits only a share of which it claims for itself, its conception of the Golden Rule as the practical basis for dealings with the world, its high plan to save the weak and feeble from the power and will of the mighty—­these things, we say, are of the very essence of the true faith.

“It is not a subject for marvel then that practically every denominational and interdenominational gathering of religious men that has been held since the Versailles covenant was adopted has included an endorsement of that great document.  Aloof from the contentions of partisans, freed from the bigotry engendered by factionalism, looking upon national questions through the windows of light and truth, the banded followers of the Man of Nazareth have seen the question that is presented shorn of false claims.  In a word, Christians, speaking organically, with a voice that could not be misunderstood have stated that they wish the League of Nations.

“For such a League, for the only league now in existence or which has a fair chance of coming into existence, we are contending.  Could the question be lifted from the arena of partisanship and could the referendum which we have invoked be by direct ballot, there would be no opposition.  Unfortunately, our system of government has not provided a choice so direct, nor a manner of expression that would leave so small doubt as to the sentiment of America.  We say this from a field of personal experience for like the certain rich young man of Biblical story, we, too, have seen the type of uncompromising partisan who ‘turned away sorrowfully’ for party seemed more important than duty or honor.

“It matters little whether we say that we feel deeply for those across the seas in their troubles when we fail to act in their behalf.  The successful issue of the war left a duty on our hands, a duty like that which we performed in Cuba nearly a generation ago and like that which has been brought close to completion in the Philippines.  We faced a Christian duty toward our associates and even toward the people of enemy lands.  It was our obligation to bind up the wounds of the war and to show by example the fulfillment of high ideals voiced by the leaders of the world thought.