voyage and the greater dangers that awaited an absentee from his country under the then existing laws, to perform his duty to his mother and to his native land.  In making that return I think we are entitled to say that he was the first Ambassador of America to the Court of Japan, for his extraordinary experience soon brought him into the association of the highest officials of his country, and his presence there prepared the way for the friendly reception which was given to Commodore Perry when he was sent to Japan to open relations between that Government and the Government of America.

And so we see how out of the kind deed of Captain Whitefield, friendly relations which have existed for many years between the people of Japan and the people of America were encouraged and made possible.  And it is in recognition of that event that we have here to-day this great concourse of people, this martial array, and the representative of the Japanese people—­a people who have never failed to respond to an act of kindness.

It was with special pleasure that I came here representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to extend an official welcome to His Excellency Viscount Ishii, who comes here to present to the town of Fairhaven a Sumari sword on behalf of the son of that boy who was rescued long ago.  This sword was once the emblem of place and caste and arbitrary rank.  It has taken on a new significance because Captain Whitefield was true to the call of humanity, because a Japanese boy was true to his call of duty.  This emblem will hereafter be a token not only of the friendship that exists between two nations but a token of liberty, of freedom, and of the recognition by the Government of both these nations of the rights of the people.  Let it remain here as a mutual pledge by the giver and the receiver of their determination that the motive which inspired the representatives of each race to do right is to be a motive which is to govern the people of the earth.

XIX

SOMERVILLE REPUBLICAN CITY COMMITTEE

AUGUST 7, 1918

Coming into your presence in ordinary times, gentlemen of the committee, I should be inclined to direct your attention to the long and patriotic services of our party, to the great benefits its policies have conferred upon this Nation, to the illustrious names of our leaders, to our present activities, and to our future party policy.  But these are not ordinary times.  Our country is at war.  There is no way to save our party if our country be lost.  And in the present crisis there is only one way to save our country.  We must support the State and National Governments in whatever they request for the conduct of the war.  The Constitution makes the President Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy.  What he needs should be freely given.  This has been and will be the policy of the Republican administration of Massachusetts and of her Senators and Representatives in Congress.  We seek no party advantage from the distress of our country.  Among Republicans there will be no political profiteering.