Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-04
Princeton Alumni's Guest.

AS an alumnus of Princeton University,
the man who is to guide the destinies of
the nation was the honor guest of the
last night. There he rubbed elbows with
old classmates and boys who had grown
up under his guidance, and he left the
last of his functions as a private citizen
at late hour to seek few hours rest
before the climatic event of his career to-
day.
For an hour the President-elect was the
center of wild demonstration of cheers
and songs. He had not intended to make
speech, but the enthusiasm of it all
moved him SO deeply that he spoke for
a few minutes, expressing his thanks for
the confidence that the Princeton alumni
had reposed in him.
Fellows. 1 had not intended to say any
thing" said he with a noticeable tremor
in his voice, because the only appropriate
thing to say / can't say, because there
are no words for It. There are some emo
mans vocabulary can reach: and 1 have
a feeling tonight that moves me very |
much indeed.
Strong Ties That Bind.
I'VE have often spoken of our COM
radeshp together as Princeton men, and l |
have spoken SO often that I am ashamed |
to repeat it almost. of the part that |
Princeton has played in public life, and l
have spoken so often of that sense of
having a great Invisible brotherhood that
binds a man by uncommon standards of
honor and of service.
Now I stand here upon the eve of at |
tempting a great task-a profound and
great one-and now that there are SO |
many men In the United States who know |
me and understand me, and to whom do |
not have to explain anything. Members
of the family do not need to be told what /
is going to happen. And therefore it is
not necessary to make a speech to the |
family.
81 have only to say that my feeling to-
night is family feeling of being among
men trained as was trained. looking out
to give me that sympathy which buoys a
man UP more than anything else in the
world. 1 thank God that it is so, and
thank you for this evidence of it.
Sing Princeton Anthem.
Prolonged cheering followed the speech
and the singing of "Old Nassau" Prince
tons historic anthem. The President
elect stood little platform and joined
in the singing, moving his hands appraised
to and fro in the refrain of the song as
Princeton men are accustomed to do.
When Mr.. Wilson arrived after passing
through a big street crowd he went
through lane on both sides of which the
alumni stood cheering and yelling. The
President-elect was escorted to plat
form, where Henry Clay Stewart, "a,
president of the local alumni association,
and Mr.. Justice Mahlon Pitney, 10. of the
United States Supreme Court, presented
him with ribbon-tied package of cigars
and cigarettes. Mr.. Wilson took them
with SMILE as he doesn't smoke.
Locomotive cheers We're given with a
vim for Wilson" and Princeton and
soon the entire crowd of alumni formed a
line and shook hands Many of those
present were in the uniform Of the Essex
Cavalry Troop, which today escorts Mr..
Wilson, and Squadron A of the 1st Regi-
ment of New York, made UP largely of
Princeton men. Many of Mr.. Wilson's
Cyrus Mccormick of Chicago, William p.
Wilder of New York and Robert Bridges
Of New York.
Gets Tigers Tooth.
Gas the graduates filed by. Stanley
Hunter. 10. who has been a mis-
sionary in India, gave Mr.. Wilson
tigers tooth for good luck, which the
President-elect has now added to his
collection of rabbits feet, horse chest
nuts and other good-luck symbols.
In the crowd Of Princeton men were a
few who had figured conspicuousy in the
campaign. William F. McCombs, '9S. the