The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-08-18
WILSON ASKS
PATRIOTS To
BE IMPARTIAL
Observe Strict Neutrality in
Speech and Conduct To-
ward Warning Powers, Ad-
vice of President.
GIVE WORLD EXAMPLE
Let United States Exhibit
Fine POise of Undisturbed
Judgment in Hour of Uni
versal Turmoil.
TBY LEASED WlRE.1

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18.-President
Wilson today addressed a communica-
tion to the American people asking
them to observe strict neutrality in
speech and conduct in the present Eu-
ropean conflict and to act in a spirit
of impartiality and fairness and
friendliness to all concerned. His state
ment says:
my fellow countrymen:
II suppose that every thoughtful
man in America has asked himself
during these last troubled weeks what
influence the European war may ex-
ert upon us, and l take the liberty of
addressing few words to you in or
der to point out that it is entirely
within our own choice what it's effect
upon us will be. and to urge very ear
nestly upon you the sort of speech and
conduct which will best safeguard
the nation against distress and disas-
ter.
Observe Strict Neutrality.
"The effect of the war upon us will
depend upon what American citizens
say and do. Every man who really
loves America, will act within true
spirit of neutrality which is the spirit
OF impartiality and fairness and friend
iness to all concerned. The spirit of
the nation in this critical matter will
be demonstrated largely by what indi-
viduals and societies and those gath
cred in public meetings do and say,
upon what newspapers and magazines
contain, upon what ministers utter in
their pulpits and what men proclaim
rs their opinions on the subject.
THE people of the United States
are drawn from many nations, and
chiefly from the nations now at war.
1t is natural and inevitable that there
should be utmost variety of sympathy.
Some will wish one nation, others an
struggle. It will be easy to excite pas
sion and difficult to allay it. Those re-
sponsible for exciting it will assume
q heavy responsibility.
Love Of Country First.
THE love of the country and loyalty
to its government should unite us as
Americans, all bound in honor and af-
fection to think first of her and her in
terests.
MAY we not be divided in camps of
hostile opinion against each other.
Such divisions among US would be ia
tai to our peace of mind and our duty
as the one great nation at peace, the
one people holding itself ready to play
q part of impartiality.
Il venture therefore, my fellowcoun-
trymen, to speak solemn word of
warning to you against the deepest,
most subtle, most essential breach of
neutrality which may spring out Of
partisanship, out of passionately TAX
ing 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 we'll as in action; must put
a curb on our sentiments as well as
upon transactions that must be con-
strued as preference of one party to
the struggle before another.
Show Virtue Of Peace.
"My thought is of America. I am
speaking. l feel sure, the earnest wish
and purpose of every thoughtful Amer
lean 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 beyond others to ex-
hibit the fine poise of undisturbed
judgment the dignity Of self control,
the efficiency Of dispassionate action,
nation that neither sits in upon 9th.
ers nor Is disturbed in her own coun-
sells and that keeps herself fit and free
to do what Is honest and disinterested
and truly serviceable for the peace Of
the world.
"Shall we not resolve to put upon
ourselves the restraints which will
bring to our people the happiness, and
the great lasting influence for peace
we covet for them"