New Britain herald., 1915-05-11
WILSON AGAINST WAR;
 HOLDS HUMANITY FIRST
U. 5. VIII Peacefully Seek to Con- Vlnce Germany of Injustice Done.

Philadelphia, May 11.-President Wilson gave to gathering of 1000. naturllized Americans last night the first intimation of the course which the United States government pro- bably will pursue in the situation re- sulting from the loss of more than hundred American lives on the Brit ish liner Lusitania. He spoke by i'm plication, but his hearers interpreted his remarks as meaning that, while the United States would remain at peace, it would seek to convince Ger many of the injustice to mankind of the tragedy of last Friday.
 Humanity First. }"
 The sentiment expressed in the Presidents speech was epitomized by one of his closest advisers as 'hu-
 manity first.'' While it had not yet been determined, he said, exactly what steps would be taken by the United States in the present crisis, the idea uppermost in the Presid ent's
 minds was to show that whatevero course is adopted-no matter how vigorous-it will have as it's objective the good of humanity.
 
 | must have the consciousness that on all sides 1t touches elbows and touches heart with all the nations of man.
 kind. The example of America must l be the example not merely of peace because it will not fight, but of peace i because peace is the healing and elevating influence of the world, and strife is not.
 Too Proud to Fight.
 There is such a thing as man being too proud to fight. There is such a thing as nation being so right that it does not need to con- vince others by force that it is right" These remarks precipitated tu- mutt of applause and patriotic en- thusiasm attended by a waving of thousands of small American flags. The President made no direct refer
 ence to the Lusitania tragedy, but the audience did not hesitate to read the application of his statement. Mayor Presents President. Mayor Blankenburg. who in dis tinctly German accent, spoke well come and an appeal for . single alle-i gience to the United States, said in introducing MT. Wilson:-- " 1T present to you-God bless him the President"
 President Wilson's Address. MT. Wilson said in part:--
 l "It warns my heart that you should ] give me such a reception; but it is not of myself that I wish to think l tonight, but of those who have just become citizens of the United States. This is the only country in the world which experiences this constant and repeated re-birth. Other countries de- pend upon the multiplication of their own native ou have just taken oath of allegiance to the United States. You have taken an oath of allegiance to a great idea, a great body, of principles, to great 1 hope of the human race. ----
 And while you bring all countries with | you, you come with purpose of l leaving all other countries behind 1 you-bringing what is best of their l spirit, but not looking over your
 shoulders and seeking to perpetuate
 what you intend to leave in them. I You cannot become thorough Americans if you think of yourselves
 in groups. America does not consist of groups, A man who thinks of
 himself as belonging to a particular
 national group in America has not yet
 become an American, and the l man who goes among you to trade upon your nationality is no worthy son tC live under the Stars and Stripes.
 Think First of Humanity. l "My urgent advice to you would be not only always to think of America l first, but always, also, to think first
 of humanity. You do not love hu-
 manity if you seek to divide human
 ity into jealous camps. Humanity can
 be welded together only by love, by
 sympathy by justice, not by jealousy
 and hatred. l am sorry for the man
 who seeks to make personal capital
 out of the passions of his fellow men
 He has lost the touch and ideal of
 America, for America was created tc
 unite mankind by those passions
 which lift and not by passions which | separate and debase. We came tc
 America, either ourselves or Tn per. sons of our ancestors to better the
 ideals of men, to make them see fine,
 things than they had seen before tc
 get rid of things that divide and f,
 make sure of things that unite. It was
 but an historical accident, no doubht
 that this great country was called the United States and yet I am yer,
 thankful that it has the word united
 in it's title, and the man who seek.
 to divide man from man, group from group, interest from interest in tht United States is striking at it's yer, heart.
 If have in any degree forgottor what America was intended for, will thank God if you will remind me l was born in America. You dreame, dreams of what America was to be and hope you brought the dream. With you. No man that does not set