Henry Cabot Lodge 1850-1924
Posted on 02/02/2005 4:51:46 AM PST by Ragnorak
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge August 12, 1919 on The League of Nations
I am as anxious as any human being can be to have the United States render every possible service to the civilization and the peace of mankind. But I am certain that we can do it best by not putting ourselves in leading strings, or subjecting our policies and our sovereignty to other nations. The independence of the United States is not only more precious to ourselves, but to the world, than any single possession.
Look at the United States today. We have made mistakes in the past; we have had shortcomings. We shall make mistakes in the future and fall short of our own best hopes. But nonetheless, is there any country today on the face of the earth which can compare with this in ordered liberty, in peace, and in the largest freedom? I feel that I can say this without being accused of undue boastfulness, for it is a simple fact. And in taking on these obligations, all that we do is in the spirit of unselfishness, and it is a desire for the good of mankind. But it is well to remember that we are dealing with nations, every one of which has a direct individual interest to serve, and there is grave danger in an unshared idealism. Contrast the United States with any country on the face of the earth today and ask yourself whether the situation of the United States is not the best to be found.
I will go as far as anyone in world service that the first step to world service is the maintenance of the United States. You may call me selfish if you will, conservative or reactionary, or use any other harsh adjective you see fit to apply. But an American I was born, an American I've remained all my life. I can never be anything else but an American, and I must think of the United States first. And when I think of the United States first in an arrangement like this, I am thinking of what is best for the world. For if the United States fails, the best hopes of mankind fail with it. I have never had but one allegiance; I cannot divide it now. I have loved but one flag and I cannot share that devotion and give affection to the mongrel banner invented for a league. Internationalism, illustrated by the Bolshevik and by the men to whom all countries are alike, provided they can make money out of them, is to me repulsive. National I must remain and in that way I, like all other Americans, can render the amplest service to the world.
The United States is the world's best hope, but if you fetter her in the interest through quarrels of other nations, if you tangle her in the intrigues of Europe, you will destroy her powerful good, and endanger her very existence. Leave her to march freely through the centuries to come, as in the years that have gone. Strong, generous, and confident, she has nobly served mankind. Beware how you trifle with your marvelous inheritance -- this great land of ordered liberty. For if we stumble and fall, freedom and civilization everywhere will go down in ruin.
Massachusetts is home to the Battle at the Old North Bridge, "The shot heard 'round the world." -- the seminal moment for freedom in this world. It is utterly disgraceful for this to be lost by a representative from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Of course in Kennedy's case it might just be a bridge thing.
Henry Cabot Lodge 1850-1924
I moved to Boston last summer and have found the same thing. They simply are incapable of making logical connections between causes they support and politicians they elect. Like you, I have run into many pro-military, anti-gay agenda, anti-abortion Bostonians who adore Ted Kennedy. The degree of irrationality here is exceptionally high. I think a lot comes from the fact that to a far greater degree than other parts of the US, people here continue to hold to the idea that the Dem Party is essentially a religion, and you don't turn against your religion no matter what. Nowhere else do you hear so frequently that mantra about "My father was a Democrat, and my grandfather was a Democrat" blah blah blah.
Great portrait of a highly intelligent man who could not get elected dog catcher in Mass today. He led the fight against Woodrow Wilson's efforts to roll us into the League of Nations and was able to foresee the dangers of uncontrolled, unassimilated immigration. He also wrote an insightful introduction to "The Education Of Henry Adams" that I could not imagine any current US Senator having the intellectual wherewithal to do.
I'm from New York. I can sympathize especially with your Senatorial problem. Here in New York we have a genuine liberal problem that's just as maddening.
Yeah, I'd love to see that on the MA license plate. Doesn't have quite the same ring as "Live Free Or Die," though, does it? As for Ed Brooke, a few weeks ago I was in the Caribbean and his house was pointed out to me on the island of St. Maarten. Looks like Ed did okay for himself after leaving the Senate. But your point is well taken, the lefties here would not have a concept that he was actually a Republican, albeit from the Rockefeller wing. With all their alleged liberality, have the Dems in this state ever elected a black official to a prominent statewide position?
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