South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-22
PRIEST WILSON on AMERICA
FIRST"


FIRST"
Unqualifedly. Pres't Wilson's ad-
dress before the Associated Press al
New York, Tuesday, was one OF the
greatest presentations Of right Amer
lean spirit that has been recorded in
this country for many years. The
times. OF course. had something TO DC
with it. The world strife. from which
we are seeking to hold aloof furnished
the opportunity. The real purpose OF
our holding aloof is where the true
American spirit bespeaks itself one
cannot read the presidents interpre-
tation of that purpose, and Of that
spirit, without again realizing the
lofty atriotism-indeed, worldwide
patriotism.-of the men at present al
the helm OF our national government
Read 1t:
II this nation shall prove to
the world its calm judgment, self
mastery and disinteredness, then
IL must be appealed 20 10 assist IN
the recOnstructing processes of
peace. This work is Americas
great mission.
Ny interest in the neutrality o.
the United States is not the petty
desire TO keep out of trouble. If
any man wants a scrap that IS
worth while, / am his man. But
there is something so much great
or to Go than fight. So / am not
speaking in a selfish spirit wheE
l say that our whole duty Is
summed up in this motto, Amer
lea first"
Let us think Of America before
we think OF Europe in order that
America may be fit to be EurOpe's
friend when the day Of tested
friendship comes. The test of
friendship Is not now sympathy
with one side or the other, but
getting ready TO help both sides
when the struggle is over.
on the subject OF neutrality, and
the attitude that certain powers and
certain people are assuming in an eff
fort to cast suspicion upon admins
tration efforts. the president says
farther:
The basis OF neutrality is not
indifference; 1t is not self-interest.
The basis of neutrality is SYM
patty for mankind. 1t is fair
ness; il is good will at bottom.
l. is impartiality of spirit and or
Judgment / wish that all our
fellow citizens could realize that.
There is in some quarters a dis
position &c create distempers in
this body polite. Men are even
uttering SANDERS against the
United States. as il to excite her.
Men are saying that If we should
go TO war upon either side there
will be a divided America-an
abominabIe libel of ignorance;
America is not all OF it vocal just
now. 1t is vocal in spots.
But / for one have a complete
and abiding faith in that great
silent body of Americans who are
not standing up and shouting and
expressing their opinions just
now, but are waiting to find out
and support the duty of America.
I am just as sure OF their sohdity
and OF their loyalty and of their
unanimity. if we act Justly. as 1
am that the history OF this
country has at every crisis and
turning point illustrated this great
lesson.
The president then refers to the
partisan and racial disloyalty that oc-
casionally creeps out. in this manner:
There are groups or selfish men
in the United States there are CO.
teries where sinister things are
purpOsed, but the great heart or
the American people is just as
sound and true as it ever was.
And il is a single heart; it is the
heart OF America. II is not
heart made up OF sections select
ed out OF other countries.
So what / try to remind myself
of every day when / am almost
overcome by perpleXities what
try TO remember IS what the peo-
pie at nome are thinking about.
,,,t-eo1e IN tho nIQco OF
the man who does not know all
the things that i know, and ask
myself what he would like the
DOlicv Of this country TO be-not
the talkative man, not the par
tisan man, not the man VINO re-
members first that he Is a re-
publican or democrat, or that MS
PARENTS were Germans or Eng
Iish. but who remembers first
that the whole destiny OF mod
ern affairs centers largely upon
his being an American first of all
All of which IS a plea for the saving
Of the United States for a mission of
mediation-not TO undertake not to
mind out own business and seek to
mediate while other people are quar-
reiing. but 70 be ready 10 mediate
when the opportunity arises. and to
have the confidence of all the powers
concerned at the proper time. Amer
fca.must believe in herself, and in her
mission. # the rest OF the world Is TO
believe I'm her. There should be no
internal dissention I'm the approach Of
this great task Some day we Will
congratulate ourselves as nation.
that in these troublous times we had
a president large enough 10 rise above
the petty prejudices Of party, or of
nationality. and TO represent America
as whole-America as people,
rather than lotteries of politicians. or
as Americans OF some foreign birth
or lineage To whom America is not
araf hrt cooond