New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-11

The President never had n better
opportunity TO talk TO the people. More
than fifteen thousand Americans had
gathered under single roof, 1000 OF
whom had just become American citi-
zens. The hall was draped with Amer
lean flags, there was a large chorus
which sang patriotic songs and there
was an inspiring speech by Mayor
Rudolph Blankenburg, who, in accents
broadly German, proclaimed that he
was an American citizen first, last and
all the time.
His Own Thoughts Only.
President Wilson's address repre-
sented the result OF more than three
days of solitary counsel. He had not
discussed the sinking of the Lusitania
with a single one OF his advisors, so
that the thoughts he expressed to-
night were wholly his own.
Some of the Presidents friends in
terpreted his address as no indication
of a policy. II was the cnunciation
of a thought. they said.
When Mr.. Wilson reached Conven-
ton Hall he seemed his old self again.
The Wilson smile was rampant, and
it seemed as If big load had been
/ lifted from his mind; that something
had happened. What it was nobody
knew.
When Mayor Blankenburg intro
duced the President the great throng
rose, and, waving American flags,
cheered for a minute or two. Pre-
viously America" and THE Star
Spangled Banner" had been sung. the
President joining in the singing.
The speech was short, and aside
from his discussion Of peace he took
occasion by intimation TO castigatt
hose hyphenated Americans who are
seeking to stir UP strife in this coun-
try. He did not call them German
/ American, but there could be 40 mis-
taking TO whom ne referred.
Groups Not American.
at is one thing to love the place you
were born in" said the President. "and
another thing to dedicate yourself 10
/ the country you adopt. You can't dedi-
! cate Yourself unless you become thor
/ ough Americans. and you are not thor
/ ou, h Americans If you begin 20 think
l in groups, for the man who thinks IN
groups has not become an American.
+ The man who goes among you TO trade
/ on your nationality Is no worthy elt-
| zen of the United States.
81 am sorry for the man who seeks
81. -
his fellow men. | am thankful for the
word united in the United States, for
/ the man who seeks to divide is striking
at its very heart"
I Previous TO speaking the President
haC 10 sit through several speeches, the
most notable of which was that OF Phil.
/ adelpha's Mayor-an appeal TO Ameri-
can citizens 70 be Americans first, last
and all the time.
""ou must dedicate yourself 20 the
/ country Of which you have become citi-
zens," the Mayor said. until you close
your eyes. You must be Americans
/ first, last and all the time. Your first
allegiance !. to the country OF your
/ adoption. am. like many of you.
| foreign born citizen, but while ! love
the country OF my birth, my heart is
with the country OF my adoption"
/ President Wilson left Washington at
4 o'clock and arrived here at o'clock.
After dinner en- the train ho drove 20
/ Convention Hall, escorted by the ist
| City Troop. He left here at i2:l5, and
viii be at his desk in Washington to-
morrow morning.
Secretary Daniels and Secretary Will
/ son were both at the meeting. the lat
ter speaking on good citizenship.