Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1914-08-21
President Wilson
Issues Warning

pie, President Wilson issued a
statement in connection with the
European war, warning the citi-
:zens cf the United States against
(, that deepest, most subtle and
most essential breach of neutral
ity which may spring out of par
titionship, out of passionately
taking sides"
The presidents statement
says: Il suppose that every
thoughtful man in America has
asked himself during the last
troubled weeks what influence
the European war may exert up
en- the United States, and | take
the liberty of addressing a few
words to you in order to point
out that it is entirely within our
own choice what its effects upon
us will be and to urge very
earnestly upon you the sort of
speech and conduct which will
best safeguard the nation against
distress and disaster.
The effect of the war upon
the United States will depend
upon what American citizens say
and do. Every man who really
loves America will act and speak
in the pure spirit of neutrality
which is the spirit of impartiality
and fairness, and friendliness to
all concerned. The spirit of the
haticn in this critical matter will
be determined largely by what
individuals and society and those
gathered in public meetings do
and say; upon what newspapers
and magazines contain; upon
what our ministers utter in their
pulpits and men proclaim as their
, opinions on the streets.
The people of the United
States IRE drawn from many no
tons and chiefly from the ma
'tions now at war. 1t is natural
and inevitable that there sho4lG
be the utmost variety of SYM
pathy with regard to the issues
and circumstances of the con-
Rict. Some will wish one nation,
others another to succeed in the
ncmentous struggle.
|. 1t will be easy to excite pas
sion and difficult to allay it.
Those responsible for exciting i,
will assume a heavy responsible.
ity, for no less a thing than that
the people Of the United States
whose love of their country and
whose loyalty to lis government
should unite them as Americans,
all bound in honor and affection
to think first of her and her in
terests, may be divided into
camps of hostile opinions. hot
against each other, involved in
\ the war itself in impulse and op-
inion, if not in action. Such di-
versions amongst us would be
fatal to our peace of mind and
might seriously stand in the way
OF the proper performance Of
our duty as the one great nation
xat peace, the one capable of hold
ing itself ready to play a part
in impartial mediation and speak
counsels of peace and accommo-
dation, not as a partison, but as
"a friend.
Il venture. therefore, my fel-
low countrymen, to speak SOL
'emn word of warning to you
against that deepest, most sub
tie, most essential breach of neu-
trality which may spring out of
partisanship. out Of passionately
taking sides. The United States
must be neutral in fact as well
as in name during these days that
are to try mems souls. We must
be impartial in thought as well
as in action, must put curb up
on our sentiments as we'll as up
on every transaction that might
he construed as a preference of
zone party to the struggle before
another.
MY thought is for America.
am speaking. feel sure, the
earnest wish and purpose of
every thoughtful American, that
this great country of ours. which
,is of course. the first in our
@thoughts and in our hearts,
\ should show herself in this time
of peculiar trial nation fit be-
yond others to exhibit the fine
poise of undisturbed judgment,
the dignity of self control. the
efficiency of dispassionate ac-
ton; a nation that neither sits in
judgment upon others nor is dis
turbed in her counsels and
(which keeps herself fit and free
to do what is honest and truly
serviceable for the peace of the
world.
Shall we not resolve to put
upon ourselves the restraint
which will bring to our people
the happiness and the great and
lasting influences for peace we
covet for them?"
s-s.s.s-s.* x.s.s.s-s-e