Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-08-21
Asks the People to Be Fair,
Friendly and Impartial
In European Affairs
GIVES SOLEMN WARNING
President Issues Patriotic
Statement That Appeals to
Every True Citizen


European conflict was issued here
yesterday by President Wilson:
"My fellow countrymen:- suppose
every thoughtful man in America has
asked himself what influence the
European war may exert upon Amer
lea, and l take the liberty of address,
ing few words to you and to point
out that it is entirely within our
choice what the effects upon us shall
be, and to urge most earnestly upon
you the sort of speech and conduct
which will best safeguard the nation
against distress and disaster.
Everyone who really loves Amer
lea will act and speak with the true
spirit of neutrality, which is the spir-
it of impartiality, fairness and friend
liness to all concerned The spirit of
the nation in this critical matter will
be determined largely by what indi-
viduals and society and those gather
ed in public meetings do and say and
what the newspapers and magazines
contain; what ministers utter from
their pulpits and what men proclaim
as their opinions on the street.
"Our people are people drawn from
many nations, chiefly from the ma.
tions now at war. 1t is natural and
inevitable that there should be the
utmost variety of sympathy and de-
sire among them in regard to the is
sues and circumstances of the con-
flict. Some will wish one nation and
other another, to succeed in the
momentous struggle 1t will be easy
to .ex. ...'s s"sron, but saass~.s,. .-.; qua.
it. Those rsponsible for exciting it
VIII assume a heavy responsibility,
responsipiht' for no less thing than
that the pSple of America, whose
love for tAir country and loyalty
for thelr svernment, should unite
. them as AFRICANS, all bound in hon.
h or ana d ctiOn, to think first of
her ana fr interests, may be di.
vlded INTO amps Of hostile opinion,
hot agait each other and involved
~ in war lelf in impulse and opinion,
ic not in ,tion.
n. ouch visions amongst us will be
VI fatal 10 peace and might serious
" stahon the way of proper per-
!, 1forfiffffsah14RSc-5f duty as one great nation
at peac and one people holding it.
, self reav to play the part of i'm
:, partial mliation and speak counsels
= of peace I'd accommodation, not as
partisan, It as friend.
:, 81 vente, therefore, my fellow
countrymt, to speak solemn word
q Of warninfo you against the deepest
!. most subt. and most essential breach
> of neutral,y wliah may spring out
of partisaship and ol1 of passionate
;. ly taking sides. America must be
;, neutral in fact as we'll as in name
: durin these days that are to try
mems ssouls. We must be impartial
in tbdght as well as in action and
muJcurb our sentiment as we'll as
= ever transaction that might be con-
shed as preference to one. party be-
G pre- another.
"My thoughts are of America. !
ieel sure that the earnest wish and
puitpose of every thoughtful American
Is u at this great country of ours,
"n'cn of course, is first in our
'iiousAts and hearts, should show
Self in time of peculiar trial, a
n'ation fit beyond others, to exhibit
fine poise, undisturbed Judgment, dig
nifty of selfcontrol and the efficiency
of Nispassionate action; nation that
neiNker sits in judgment upon others,
norNs disturbed in her own counsels
and Which keeps herself fit and free
to dowhat is honest, disinterested and
truly erviceable for the peace of the
/ world
"Sha Awe not resolve to put upon
ourself Ntraints which will bring our
people ha iness and great and last
ing influeM for the peace we covet
for thamo"t