Ohio History Journal

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72 Ohio Arch

72        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

vindication of national honor and the only certain protection of

vital interests is in respecting the nationality of others and in

trusting for justice to the growing conscience of the race codified

in international law and expressing itself through international

arbitration.

On that, as on a sure foundation, rests the hope of the

world's peace. Once men dreamed of peace through the world

sovereignty of some master mind like Alexander or some ruling

race like the Romans. But that dream of peace, the peace not of

free men but of weaklings and slaves, was doomed forever when

Napoleon and his army staggered back through the snows of

Russia under the curse of God.

But a new day has dawned, dawned for the statesmen,

dawned for the nations. It is the day of national rights and

national responsibilities. The two nations of America have seen

the coming of that day, have seen it through these generations

of peace, have seen it and are glad. We of to-day, standing on

this historic boundary line, a boundary no longer of separation,

but of union, are pledged, we and our nations with us, pledged

to preach this gospel of freedom, good-will and peace. This is

America's vision; this America's message; this America's obliga-

tion to all the world.

 

ADDRESS OF HON. WALLING.

Hon. Emory A. Walling, presiding judge of Erie County,

Pa., spoke as follows:

The only excuse that I have for now coming before you is

that my home is in Erie, Pennsylvania, a place so linked with

the great national event, the anniversary of which we are here

celebrating, that as one of her citizens I would be less than an

American if I shrank from the performance of any duty to

which I might be here called by your committee.

The end of the year 1812 found the war going on with

the great territory of Michigan in full possession of the enemy,

who to extend the invasion into Ohio and possibly Pennsylvania,

must have control of Lake Erie and so must we to drive the

enemy out of Michigan and carry the war into Canada. This

lake was the key to the situation. The British saw it and pres-