World Affairs Institute

BUILDERS OF THE STATEAuthor(s): RICHARD WATSONSource: Advocate of Peace through Justice, Vol. 87, No. 2 (FEBRUARY, 1925), p. 96Published by: World Affairs InstituteStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20660829 .

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96 ADVOCATE OF PEACE February

interest in him when he comes to America and is a stranger just around the corner?" One will probably run into a representa tive of the new Turkey who will say, "You ask us to set apart a great piece of terri tory as a home for the Armenians. If you will excuse it, I demand that you set aside the State of Pennsylvania for a home for the American aborigines."

Someone who is crusading for the inde pendence of the Koreans will probably come across a Japanese with a taste for realities who will say, "Ah, yes, and we on our part demand that you give independ ence to the Philippines." Another mor alist may meet some benighted person who may say, "Please do not force your morals upon us. We already have a set of our own. We do not like political and economic exploitation, but moral expolita tion is the worst of all."

I learned to believe during my service abroad that it was a great mistake for us to be about offering plans to other peoples, particularly if these plans were furnished

only with good will and glib phrases and lacked architects' drawings to scale, sur

veys and estimates of cost ; particularly if the offering is made to those who have al

ready sampled an American cure-all and are still trying to overcome its effects. I know that our good intentions have re ceived great appreciation abroad, but that

the world, seeking moral forces, is now

insisting more and more on intelligence as a moral obligation.

The truth of the matter is that the

working out of international relationship is a long job. ISTo panacea will ever come

fluttering in with the morning mail, no matter how eagerly we wait for the post man. Some obscure school child may sud

denly become inspired and write out a new workable plan ready-made, but the chances are against it.

We have wasted tremendous energy al

ready in shooting our high aims at imag inary bulFs-eyes. I suspect that, after all, our task is a building process?the job of

putting brick on brick, constructing a wall against war, and a place where peace and understanding and co-operation and fair play can meet and stand on firm foundation.

In the meantime Hughes has done a

big job and has sprung no trick plays. In the meantime there will always ring in

my ears the statement of a distinguished European who said to me when a great conference was in a tight box :

"The greatest asset of the world today is the detachment of the United States.

All the rest of the big forces are isolated from freedom of thought and action. For pity's sake, do not join those who are thus isolated."

BUILDERS OF THE STATE

By RICHARD WATSON

Who builds the state? Not he whose power, Rooted in wrong, in gold entrenched,

Makes him the regent of the hour;

The eternal light cannot be quenched:

This shall outlive this little span; Shine fierce upon each tainted scheme;

Shall show where shame blots all the plan;

The treachery in the dazzling dream.

He builds the state who builds on truth,?

Not he who, crushing towards his aim,

Strikes conscience from the throne, and ruth, To win a dark, unpiteous fame.

He builds the state who to that task Brings strong, clean hands, and purpose

pure, Who wears not virtue as a mask;

He builds the state that shall endure,? The state wherein each loyal son

Holds as a birthright from true sires

Treasures of honor nobly won, And freedom's never-ending fires.

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