Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-13

up his hands and keep their heads until
the passions of the people had a chance
to cool, the dispute soon could be brought
to conclusion honorable to both nations
alike. And the President invariably
closed these talks with words to this
effect: .....
you should clearly understand that the
German Government began these war
preparations only because the passions OF
the German people had been infamed by
the lack OF restraint of our own press
and public. Let us now answer back
with like preparations for war, and war
will surely come-a war that. because of
It's entire needlessness, will forever be
disgrace to our common humanity. AS 1t
is. we have given these Germans pause.
Why not let the pause continue?"
In saying that he had given the Ger
man Government pause, the President
was we'll within the truth; for we know
now that during these days they were
running round in circles over In Berlin,
so perplexed were they by the Presi-
dents course as contrasted with the bel
ligerent attitude OF his people. They
knew that he had introduced them to a
new game; but Just what the game was,
they were for some time in doubt.
And the President gave pause not only
to Berlin. but to all the conscientious
Senators and Representatives who came
to see him. Certainly the members OF the
House judiciary Committee charged with
the duty of reporting on his acts, were.
In the main. the most perplexed set of
men ever saw. On the one hand, they
could not fail to come under the Presi-
dents spell when they talked with him,
and, on the other hand, there was public,
press, and-yes, pulpit, laundering
against him as a pighead. a stubborn fool,
a wild-eyed fanatic. a headstrong lunatic,
a sniveling. sneaking hypocritical cow
ard, double-dyed villain of a traitor
and man without country. 1t was
now recalled that the President had re-
ceived a part OF his education in Ger
many, and I think that the only thing
that saved him from the accusation OF
being directly In the pay of Germany
was the, public knowledge OF his great
fortune. AS II was, the frequent
conferences OF the President with the
German Ambassador were regarded In
some quarters as deeply suspicious. and
1t was loudly demanded that this Ambas-
sador receive his walking papers.
Undoubtedly the things that had most
to do with keeping the public mind in
namsd were the cartoons picturing the
murdered American sailors crying for
that the more or less ire
sponsible newspapers circulated broad
cast.
A thing that deeply impressed me At
this time was that most OF the ministers
OF the gospel OF the Prince of Peace
seemed either 10 have taken to their
cyclone cellars or to be out in front of
the pack that was yelping for the blood
OF this jew who. standing practically
alone, was. solely through the force of
the moral law. keeping two great ma
tions from plunging into a strife that
probably would have sacrificed the flower
OF their youth by the tens of thousands
and Allied both lands with the means of
women.
Yet this hardly does credit to the men
who, here and there all over the land,
were able TO see the deep purpose in the
course and who had the cour-
age 10 stand against the storm and pro-
claim, both from pulpit and editorial page,
their faith In him. All honor TO these
and courageous journalists of
all parties and clergymen of all denomi-
nations, as we'll as to the hundreds Of
men and women who. In other walks of
life, fearlessly stood up to be counted
On the side OF sanity and peace To-
sether with the Socialists, who, as q
party, we're firmly opposed TO the war.
and with the thousands who were led
10 support the President because OF ties
1l bIood win the alneTlAnus lhey MADE
4 goodly company, did these men and
women, numerically intellectually and
spiritually; but amid the terrific. din
created by the millions who clamored for
how pitlfully faint their voices
sounded TO the lonely man In the White
House!
Probably the worst thing that the
President had TO bear vas his knowledge
u the race hatred that was stirred up as
one OF the results OF the stand he took
suppose 1t was quite natural that the
men who had opposed him as a Jew dur
ns his Presidential campaign should now
come out OF their holes and shrek that
sek Of patriotism ana any stomach for
iEht WAS only what was to be expected
u white-liVered Jew; but when the
aeEs reached the President that some
II the poor and lowly OF his race had
,esn mobbed in the streets Of his native
lily. II seemed TO me that he became
several years older.
I have read OF a ship that. during Z
cyclone At sea, vas abls 70 escape de-
Itruction because il rested IN the cyclones J
'entrs. watch = always calm spot ana