Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1920 — PROF. ELSON TALKS ONLEAGUE [ARTICLE]

PROF. ELSON TALKS ONLEAGUE

Alttf<&(jh a Lifelong Republican, He Is Heartily for Measure. The west room of the court house was filled Thursday evening to hear the lecture by Prof. Elson on the league of nations. The professor did not speak from a political standpoint, but spoke as an earnest American citizen who had a cause in which he was most interested. Prof. Elson was an instructor in our county institute last year and made a similar address at the closing session. He made the statement rat tha V* time that if the league of [snation4U2lould become an issue in rfhe next campaign, although he had y always been a Republican, he would ! ' take the stump on behalf of the league covenant. In the introduction he said, "I consider the league of nations the most Important question before the American people; in fact, the whole world. After the late war, which In magnitude was greater than any ten wars of the past, the world is looking for peace and the league of nations offers the only plan to promote peace.”

Taking for granted the audience was familiar with the history of the league, he began with the history of like movements, showing that prehistoric man was fighting between families when they united the families into tribes for protection. The families thus formed agreed not to fight each other, but then the tribes fought each other. They united into clans for protection, and the clans Into nations. The nations continued to fight until the present day, when it Is proposed that nations enter into an agreement to fight each other no more. America was the nation ■which proposed It, but 41 nations have signed the agreement which formed the league of nations, hut America remains outside. In the course of the address, he made two comparisons, one between the Monroe doctrine and the league, the other the tr. S. constitution and the league. He showed that the Monroe doctrine was promulgated

nearly 100 years ago to prevent European interference in America, and after 100 years not one drop of blood has been spilled to enforce it, notwithstanding only one small nation proposed It. He also showed that in 1787, when the U. S. constitution was proposed, the colonies were divided on tha question, and even more bitter thaft the enemies of the league of nations. Two colonies: refused for two years to enter the Union, and then came in. That union was not perfect at first nor did it run smoothly. It took 100 years to prove its strength and worth. With the exception of the civil war, which had other causes, no bloodshed has been necessary to keep this union. Prof. Elson, in closing, made a strong appeal for the United States entering the league, stating that it •ma deafor to him than any political ¥ J»rty. Tpe large audience present proved trot-the people are much Interested In the question. After the address many questions were asked, which the speaker an swered like a statesman, showing that he had a complete grasp of the question. Prof. Elson to at the head of Teal

college, Pennsylvania, and was an instructor again this year in the jasper County Teachers’ Institute, held here this week.