"Kindly Light"

The news in the St. Louis speech was the suggestion that the United States, before joining the World Court, should insist on a new method of electing the judges. In as much as the method of electing judges has always been the most difficult matter to arrange in past efforts to create a World Court, many politicians and political commentators assert that the President, by raising the question, is preparing a graceful retreat from the World Court issue. But five times in his speech the President stated that he was not retreating.

The judges of the Permanent Court of International Justice are now nominated by the older Hague institution known as the International Court of Arbitration, and they are elected by the Council of the League. The President proposed that the judges be elected by the members of the court; in other words, that the court be self-perpetuating.

Extracts from the speech:

"The issue of the League of Nations is as dead as slavery. Is it not the part of wisdom ... to let it rest in the deep grave." (This called forth a telegram of protest from the League of Nations Non-Partisan Association, signed by George W. Wickersham, Everett Colby, and others.)

"I shall not attempt to coerce the Senate of the United States. I shall make no demand upon the people. . shall not try to impose my will. I shall embark upon no crusade.

"My soul yearns for peace. My heart is anguished by the sufferings of war. My spirit is eager to serve. My passion is for justice over force. My hope is in the great court.

"If in our search for everlasting peace, we but let lead, and follow humbly but dauntlessly the 'Kindly Light' of divine inspiration to all human brotherhood, gleaming like a star in the heavens, from the most beautiful hymn ever written, God will not let us fail."