Mary Warren’s speech

Peacemakers In Troubled Times May 24, 1936

Will you pardon the personal references I may make but it will explain our attitude towards problems which seem to us to be of intense importance and which may fall upon our children in the not too distance future.

Speaking as one whose ancestors fought in the American Revolution for the cause of Independence, whom near relatives served with honor in the Civil War, the Spanish War and World War. I look back with gratitude and pride upon deeds of heroism on the field of battle and sacrifice at home. I am proud to claim such a heritage of patriotism and love of country. There flows in my veins the blood of patriots who offered their lives upon the altar of freedom.

On this day of sacred memories, when the world seems to be on the verge of another dreadful conflict, what is our message to our own children, especially those of high school age? In the past we women have waited until war was declared then they offered their services as nurses, and other forms of war work. And they made for themselves a high place in the hall of martyrs.

The question now is What can Women do to prevent war? How can we organize now in the interests of peace? May I suggest a method used by the women of the South American republics to prevent war? In the year 1901 war was threatened between Argentine and Chile. There was a dispute over the boundary where rich mineral deposits were located. The women of the countries insisted that the matter be settled by arbitration and they were successful. A peaceful settlement was reached and the treaty was signed midst great rejoicing. To commemorate the deed a statue of Christ was erected on the summit trail of the Andes Mountains. It is know as Christ Of The Andes.

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While some scoffed at the idea, the women insisted that some other way must be found to settle the disputes rather them by shedding of blood.

Today we are concerned not only about peace between nations but peace between classes in our own country. What are women doing to bring peace between capitol and labor, Miss Josephine Rosche has done much to establish peace in industrial was in the coal mines of Colorado. Her father was formerly owner of one of the largest coal mines in the state. At his death she inherited the business. Miss Rosche decided not to use the methods her father used. He maintained a storehouse of machine guns and gas bombs to be used by his deputies to quiet labor troubles. She disposed of the instruments of war and decided to use peaceful methods in dealing with the miners. She visited the mines and won the love of the women and children. Next she appointed a former strike leader, John R. Lawson, as Gen. Manager of the mines. She proposed to substitute reason in the place of violence and confidence in the place of misunderstanding and suspicion. She maintains that business is not war between classes but service to the people. Her business has prospered and the miners are well paid and there have been no strikes. She is an active member of a church and is trying to apply the principles of the Golden Rule to the problems of industry.

Admiral Mahen of the U.S. Navy once said that the seeds of war are to be found in the realms of industry. Miss Rosche believes that the only way to get rid of war between nations is to eliminate conflict between classes. Only the spirit of Christ can guarantee peace and security.

The late Jane Addams of Hull House fame, Chicago, did a great deal to arouse the women of the world in behalf of universal peace. In the last year of her life she persuaded women of many of the powerful nations to circulate petitions demanding that their governments find some other way to settle disputes without going to war. She realized it would do no good if just one nation had such a petition. It must come from millions of citizens of the majority of nations to be effective.

A committee of women is now active in Congress urging the passage of a bill favoring a national referendum, a popular vote by the people, before war can be declared. Let the boys who are doing the fighting and the girls who are to serve in war work vote on the issue at stake. Let dad and mother have something to say as to whether war is to come at all.

As a mother I approve the stand taken by James A. Van Zandt, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars when he says, “We demand an iron-bound, policy which will give the people of this nation- those who fill the trenches in the event of war- a chance to say whether or not we are ready to go to war”

In the past women have performed heroic services in relieving suffering in time of war.

Now we are determined to prevent suffering by finding some other way of settling national and international disputes

In this way we the women of America may serve as peacemakers in troubled times.