The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-05-11
PEACE WILL
BE MAINTAINED
President Hints at His Policy
in a Notable Speech at
Philadelphia
SENTIMENT FOR
HUMANITY FIRST
In Addressing 1000 Naturalized Citi-
zens Nations s Chief Executive Re
ferred to Lusitania Horror Only by
Implication.
PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA, May Il. - Presi-
dent Wilson gave gathering of 1000
naturalized Americans here last night
the first intimation of the course which
the United States government proba
bly, viii pursue in the situation result
ing from the loss Of more than a Aun
dred American lives on the British
liner Lusitauia He spoke by impIcs,-
tiou, but his hearers interpreted his re-
marks as meaning that while the Unit
ed States would remain at peace, it
would seek TO convince Germany of
the injustice to mankind of the trag-
edy OF Friday.
+. America, said the president,
must have the consciousness that on
all sides it touches elbows aud touches
hearts with all the nations Of mankind.
The example of America must be q
special example. And it must be an
example not merely of peace because
il viii not fight, but because peace IS
9 healing and elevating influence Of
the world. and strife is not There is
| such thing as a man being too proud
to fight There is such q thing as be-
| ing SO right that it does not need TO
| convince Others by force that it Is
right.
These remarks precipitated tumuIt
/ Of applause and patriotic enthusiasm,
attended by a waving Of thousands of
| small American flags. The president
made no direct reference 10 the Lusi-
| tanla tragedy. but the audience did
net hesitate to read the application Of
his statement.
/ The sentiment expressed in the pres
ideHt s speech was epitomized later by
ono of his closest advisers as hu-
manitv first While It had not vet
been determined, he said. exactly what
steps would be taken by the United
| States in the present crisis. the idea
/ uppcrmCst ia the president 5 mind was
to show that whatever course is adopt
ed--no matter how vigorous-it will
have as its objective the good OF hui
mainly
Introduced by Mayor Blankenburg
who in distinctly German accent spoke
a welcome and an appeal for a single
allegiance to the United States. the
president carried forward the idea OF
the Welding of foreign blood in tnt
makeup OF America by pointing cut
the true goal Of right American citi
zenship to be LOYALTY, not to the coun
try Of one s birth, but TO the land oI
: one 5 adoption. . While YOU bring,
he said, "all countries with you, yoy
come with purpose Of leaving al
other countries behind you--bringlns
: what is best of their spirit. but no
+ looking over your shoulder or seekin,
TO perpetuate what You leave in them
would not certainly be one VIII,
would suggest that man cease t,
. love the place Of his origin. It is on,
thing to love the place where YOU wer
born, and another thing to dedicat
yourself to the place where YOU GO
You can I be TN American If YOU thin1
of yourselves in groups America doe
not consist of groups a man VIII
considers himself as belonging to
! national group is not vet an Ameri
& can =
The president was constantly inteI
rupted by outbursts of applause. II
spoke clearly. and so quiet was hi
audience of $4,000 that he could b
heard distinctly in all parts Of tn
4 great han. Everywhere the America
4 flag and red. white and blue buntin
& were displayed. and band during til
evening played patriotic airs.