Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-08-21
President Wilson Appeals To All To
Help Keep u. s. Neutral.

In probably the most remarkable docu-
ment he has issued from the White House.
an appeal to his fellOw-countrymen.
President Wilson last Tuesday urged all
Americans TO remain calm over the events
taking place in Europe and to refrain from
saying and doing things that might create
bitterness or embroil this country.
The statement of the President follows;
my fellow-countrymen ! suppose that
every thoughtful man in America has asked
himself during these last troubled weeks
what influence the European war may
exert upon the United States, and take
the liberty Of addressing few words to
you in order to point out that ii 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 true spirit of neutrality, which is
the spirit of impartiality and fairness and
friendliness to all concerned The spirit
Of the nation in this critical matter will be
determined largely by what individuals
and society and those gathered in public
meetings do and say. upon what news
papers and magazines contain, upon what
ministers utter in their pulpits. and men
proclaim as their opinions on the street.
"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 the
utmost variety Of sympathy and desire
among them with regard to the issues and
circumstances Of the conflict. Some will
wish one nation, others another to sue
coed in the momentOus struggle. II will
be easy to excite passion and difficult to
allay it. Those responsible for exciting it |
will assume heavy responsibility re-
sponsibility for no less thing than that
the people of the United States, whose love
of their country and whose loyalty to its
government should unite them as Amer-
cans all. bound in honor and affection to
think first Of her and her interests, may
be divided in camps Of hostile opinion, hot
against each other. involved in the war
itself in impulse and opinion if not in
action.
such divisions among us would be fatal
to our peace of mind and might seriously
stand in the way of the proper perform
ance of our duty as the one great nation
at peace. the one people holding itself
ready to play part of impartial media
ton and speak the counsels of peace and
accommodation, not as partisan, but as
friend
II venture. therefore, my fellow country
men. to speak a solemn word Of warning to
you against that deepest. most subtle, most
essential breach of neutrality which may
spring out of partisanship. out of passion
ately taking sides. The United States must
be neutral in fact as well as in name dur
ing these days that are to try mems souls.
as in action. must put a curb upon our
sentiments as well as upon every trans
action that might be construed as a prefer
ence of one party to the struggle before
another
my thought is of America. | am speak
ing, feel sure, the earnest wish and pur-
pose 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 beyond others to
exhibit the fine poise of undisturbed judg
ment, the dignity of self-control. the eff
cheney of dispassonate action; nation
that neither sits in judgment upon others
nor is disturbed in her own cOunsels and
which keeps herself fit and free to do what
is honest and disinterested and truly serv-
iceable for the peace of the world
'Shall we not resolve to put upon our
selves the restraints which will bring to
our people the happiness and the great
and lasting influence for peace we covet
for themG"
Although President Wilson's appeal makes
no reference to events of the last few days,
evidences had begun to multiply that Ger
man. American newspapers and orGaniza-
tons. together with anti-Japanese jingoes
generally. were beginning to try to make
trouble between this country and Japan |
over matters about which the people of the
United States care little. and it is thought
possible that he had this as well as other
things in view when he penned the re-
markable appeal made public Wednesday.