There will be years in which America, if she is worthy and
strong, will be able to make her influence for peace felt.

The problem, however, is not how rapidly we shall move but whether we
shall move at all and in what direction. That direction seems to be
clearly indicated by the recent trend of world events. With the
passing of our isolation we are given the opportunity to use our
immense influence directly, continuously and intelligently for the
strengthening of the economic bonds which make for a world peace. Time
and the economic trend work on our side. We can hasten, though we
cannot and need not create, the vast unifying movement which comes with
the further integration of industry. What we can contribute to this
consummation is an ability to see the world as it is and a willingness
to work and if necessary to fight for the changes without which
international peace is impossible. We must avoid a cautious yet
dangerous clinging to a philosophy of national irresponsibility, as we
must likewise avoid the excesses of a nationalistic imperialism. We
must take our part manfully, side by side with the other nations, in
the great reorganisation of the world, which even to-day is
foreshadowed by an economic internationalism, now in its beginnings.

{295}

In the last century and a half the United States has made three great
contributions to the political advancement of the world. The first was
the adoption of the constitution, an experiment in federalism on a
scale larger than ever before known in history. The second was the
adoption of a policy, by which the vast territories of all the states
were held in common, and these new territories admitted to statehood
upon exactly the same terms as the original commonwealths, which formed
the Union. Our third contribution was the Monroe Doctrine, which
removed two continents from the field of foreign conquest and
guaranteed to each American nation the freedom to determine its own
form of government and its own sovereignty.

To-day the nation is again in a position to contribute to the political
progress of the world. It stands before a fourth decision. Either it
can cling hopelessly to the last vestiges of its policy of isolation or
can launch out into imperialistic ventures, or finally it can promote,
as can no other nation, a policy of internationalism, which will bind
together the nations in a union of mutual interest, and will hasten the
peaceful progress o