The War and Humanity (Volume 619); A Further Discussion of the Ethics of the World War and the Attitude and Duty of the United States (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1917. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... II "WHERE THERE IS NO VISION" Few, if any, aspects of this great world crisis should give the thoughtful American greater concern than the altered attitude of other nations to his country. To provincial Americans the judgment of the world may be a matter of indifference, but its more thoughtful citizens cannot ignore the portentous possibilities involved in this changed attitude. Apart from the practical possibilities of the new situation, in which the United States so suddenly finds itself, is the sentimental consideration that the United States no longer enjoys the respect and goodwill of the world in the same ungrudging measure as heretofore. Those who affect indifference in this matter may well be reminded that in the very foundation of the United States its great founders, who were assuredly men of vision, recognized in the very preamble to the Declaration of Independence that a "decent respect to the opinions of mankind" imposed upon this, as any nation, moral responsibilities and practical obligations. A nation can say quite as truly as an individual: "Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash. Tis something; nothing. 'Twas mine; 'tis his; and has been slave to thour sands. But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed." This altered attitude of foreign nations towards the United States can be discussed from three angles, namely, the respective attitudes of the central Powers, the Entente Powers, and the neutral States. So far as the Teutonic powers are concerned, the friendship, which they once had for the United States, is wholly gone, and a feeling of intense hatred has taken its place. The peoples of those nations feel, and wi...