a part of Mr. Wilson's tactics while important measures were pending to lay down the fundamental principles that should guide America in all of its governmental processes, and he usually chose some public occasion in which to re-state these principles. On May 16, 1914, while these two measures were pending and while the press of the country was keeping the nation informed as to the gossip and their progress, Mr. Wilson delivered an address at the unveiling of the statue of Commodore John Barry, a Revolutionary patriot, in which he referred to Washington's injunction to this country to keep free from entangling alliances.

"We can not form alliances," said Mr. Wilson, "with those who are not going our way and in our might and majesty and in the certainty of our purpose we need not and should not form alliances with any nation in the world. Those who are right, those who study their conscience in determining their policies, those who hold their honor higher than their advantages do not need alliances. You need alliances when you are not true to yourself. You are weak when you are in the wrong. You are weak when you are afraid to do the right. You are weak when you doubt your course and the majesty of the nation's might asserted."

And then he exhorted the people of the nation to devote themselves "to the purpose of enabling America to live her own life, to be the justest, the most progressive, the most honorable, the most enlightened nation in the world."

When the bill to repeal was introduced, of course it met with opposition, and it was said that this opposition was a signal for a "revolt against Mr. Wilson's leadership." The nation had been warned many times before that "a revolt" was at hand. However, the leaders in the Senate and the House kept the organization together, although hostile editors declared that the President had "driven his party into hopeless dissension" and "the Democratic solid front that put through the tariff bill and the new banking law is broken and shattered."

A survey of Congress in May revealed the fact that the passage of the Repeal Bill was after all a foregone conclusion. A safe majority could be counted on in both Houses, and on June 11 the Panama Toll Act was repealed. The Senators and Members, having the President's idea before them, frankly admitted they had made a mistake and as cheerfully reversed themselves. The repeal was looked upon by a host of papers as the greatest victory yet achieved by the President and one which in itself will insure his place in history. And it was declared that "the rule of justice and equality" at last applied to our international policies, and that "no pri

vate interests," foreign or domestic, may capitalize this great republic enterprise (the Panama Canal) for its own special profit."

However, the act of Congress was so unprecedented that criticism continued, until Mr. Wilson, a few days afterward, spoke these words:

"It is patriotic sometimes to regard the honor of this country in preference to its material interests. Would you rather be despised by all the nations of the world as incapable of keeping your treaty obligations or would you rather have free tolls for American ships?

"The treaty has been made a mistake, but its meaning is unmistakable. But when I have made a promise I try to keep it. The most honorable and distinguished nation in the world is the nation that can keep its promises to its own hurt.

"I want to say, parenthetically, that I do not think anybody was hurt. I am not enthusiastic for subsidies to a monopoly and nobody can get me enthusiastic on that subject. But, assuming that it was a matter of enthusiasm, I am much more enthusiastic for keeping the integrity of the United States absolutely unquestioned and unsullied."

The President put his house in order none too soon. He had labored with success to destroy private monopoly at home and set up again the rule of right and justice in the nation. He had convinced the South American nations that the same rule would apply to all his dealings with the republics of this hemisphere. Finally, he had proved to the world that this, the greatest republic on earth, could give to mankind "the magnanimous and too novel experience" of a people guided "by an exalted justice and benevolence."

With these achievements the Old Era came to a close. The European war drew a heavy veil between the past and the future as the New Era appeared, and President Wilson faced the future with a power and a prestige that made him one of the commanding personalities of the world.

PART II

CHAPTER XIII

THE EUROPEAN WAR AND A NEW ERA

On July 4, 1914, President Wilson laid aside executive duties and on this, the nation's birthday, he stood in Independence Hall to interpret the spirit of America. In concluding his address, he said:

"To what other nation in the world can all eyes look for an instant sympathy that thrills the whole body politic when men anywhere are fighting for their rights? I do not know that there will ever be a declaration of independence and of grievances for mankind, but I believe that if any such document is ever drawn it will be drawn in the spirit of the American Declaration of Independence, and that America has lifted high the light which will shine unto all generations and guide the feet of mankind to the goal of justice and liberty and peace."

At that time the world, save Mexico, was at peace. Men everywhere were admitting that the causes of war