Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-07
Americas Future Greater
Than Any Party's Inter-
ests, He Says.
DESTINY is AT STAKE
President Announces Abandon
ment of Plan for Speaking
Tour in the Fall.

Washington, d. c., Sept. 7.-Presi-
dent Wilson announced yesterday he
would not make a speaking tour dur
ing the coming campaign. He de-
clared his intention of staying on the
job" because of the unlocked for in
ternational situation"
The president made known his in
tentions in a letter to Representative
'Doremus of Michigan, chairman of the
democratic congressional committee;
who had written him asking whether
he would make a speaking campaign
this fall.
The correspondence was made pub
lie at the White house yesterday.
America is greater than any party"
the president wrote. America can
not properly be served by any man
who for a moment measures his inter
est against its advantage.
THE time has come for great things.
These are days big with destiny for
the United States, as for the other ma
tions of the world. a little wisdom,
little courage, a little self-forgetful de-
votion may, under God, turn that des-
tiny this way or that.
Great hearts. great natures will re-
spond. Even little men will rejoice to
be stimulated and guided and set an
heroic example. Parties will fare well
enough without nursing if the men
who make them up and the men who
lead them forget themselves to serve a
cause and set a great people forward
on the path of liberty and peace"
Will Praise Party's Work.
Despite his determination to make
no speeches, Mr.. Wilson will take oc-
casion as opportunity offers to state
and perhaps restate to the country in
the clearest and most convincing
terms | can command the things which
the Democratic party has attempted
to do"
The president asked that congress
remain to do their work of necessary
and pressing service and bring it to a
successful conclusion" He said, how
ever, that he saw nothing to keep con-
gress in session after the emergency
work was finished.
The president had been asked to
speak in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Indiana,
Maine and other states. He had pre-
viously told those who asked him that
he would make no promises until he
saw what the general situation was.
His letter follows:
white House, Sept. 4.-My Dear
Mr.. Doremus: 1 have read your letter
of Sept l with a keen appreciation of
its Importance. II appeals to me as
the leader of the party now in power
with peculiar force and persuasive
ness. The close of a very eXtraordi-
nary session of congress is at hand
which has, venture to say, been more
fruitful in important Legislation of per
rnanent usefulness to the country than
any session of congress within the
memory of the active public men of
our generation.
"a great constructive program has
been carried through for which the
country has long waited, and has been
carried through with the approval and
support of judicious men of all par
ties: and we have abundant reason to
congratulate ourselves upon the rec
ord that has been made during the
busy seventeen months we have de-
voted to our great Legislative work.
World Events Eclipse Politics.
"CertainIy in ordinary circum-
stances. If we we're free to disengage
ourselves for the purpose we would be
warranted in now directing our ener-
gies TO great campaign in support OF
an appeal TO the country TO give up the
encouragement OF its Endorsement at
the autumn elections.
I'VE could go to the country with
very sincere appeal in which there
need be no pretense or boast of any
kind but n plain statement of things
actually accomplished which ought TO
be. and | think would be entirely con
vincing-
1T is a record which shows us
peace with all the world; the ques-
tions which plagued business with
doubt and uncertainty and iTresponsi-
bIe criticism out OF the way, thought
full, settled and disposed OF; the ap-