West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-12-16
In Notable Speech at Columbus
President Wilson Expresses the
Belief that there Will be No
SPatehed-Up Peaeer at the End
OF Hostilities IN Europe

peace" following the European war
In an address before the Chanbe
OF Commerce here he urged American
business men to mobilize their resour
ces In order that the United State,
might be prepared to play a NOR,
important part in the worlds AFFAIR,
and bring about Justice after the pres
ent war.
The President spent eighteen hours
In this city and he was active ever,
minute. In addition to the Chambe,
OF Commerce speech. he delivered an
address tonight before the Commits.
sion on Country and Church Life OF
the Federal Council OF the Churches
OF Christ In America, shook hands
with more than 1000 persons at a re.
ception In the rotunda OF the Stat,
capitol, and spoke briefly to a larg.
gathering from the steps OF the capi.
tol.
In the Chamber of Commerce ad.
dress the President defended his Mex-
lean policy and said as long as he was
President nobody should butt in" 10
alter the Mexicans government for
them; urged business men TO paw
more attention to foreign commerce,
and be more self-reliant; demanded
the restoration OF the American mer-
chant marine; praised the new bank
Ing and currency law, and touched
on the attitude OF the United States
toward the European war.
On this phase President Wilson said
that IL the United States preserved
It's poise. its self-possession and it's
attitude OF friendliness toward all the
world. she might have the privilege.
In one form or another. OF being the
mediating influence by which the
terms OF peace might be arranged. He
explained. however. that he did not
mean governmental mediation, but
spiritual mediation, the recognition of
the world that here is a country that
has always wanted things done that
way. and whose merchants when they
carry their goods viii carry their
ideas along with them"
$50 l challenge you," he continued.
"ard the men like you throughout the
United Safes. to apply your minds to
your business as IL they were build
ing up for the world a great constitu
ton OF the United States. as II you
were going out In the spiritual service
and achievement-the kind of achieve
ment that comes only through SER
vice. the kind of service which is
statesmanship. the statesmanship OF
those arrangements which are most
serviceable to the world"
He attacked monopoly in business
and said that the only object of or
ganization in business should be eff
cheney rather than the shutting out
or weaker men. He added, however.
that he looked forward to the future
OF American business with the great.
est confidence.
AS far as the business OF the coun-
try is concerned. he asserted emphati-
cally, there ought not to be any poll
tics. American business men have
been too timid, he said. and have been
too prone to run to Washington with
their troubles. And he added that the
American business men are strong
enough to go out and conquer the
world.
The address was delivered before
mere than 1 1,400 men and women In
the Masonic Temple, which was de-
eerated with American flags. Near
the President sat Gov. Willis, former
Gov Harmon, Senator'S Pomerene and
Harding, Representative Brumbaugh
and others OF 0hio's leading men.
His speech was frequently interrupted
by applause.
The President said In part.
Mr.. President, Gentlemen OF the
Columbus Chamber Of Commerce: I
want first to express my very deep
gratitude to you for the cordial man
ner in which you have greeted me and
my sense OF privilege in standing here
before you to speak about some Of the
things In which we are mutually in
terested
You gentlemen are perhaps more
interested in those matters Of policy
which AFFECT the business Of the coun.
try than in any others, and yet It has
peger seemed TO me possible to sep
arate the business OF a country from
its essential spirit and the life Of It's
people. The mistake that some men
have made has been in supposing thai
business was enc thing and life an.
ether. whereas they are inseBarable
In their principles and In their expires.
sion.
Il must say that in looking bach
upon the past there is something
about the history OF business in thii
country which is not wholly satisfac
tory. Il is interesting to remember
that in the early years Of this repubIi,
We feIt gurselxes mofe 2 part o. %,
general wsrla than We have felt since
lhsh.
"Down 20 the war OF 1919 the sea-
were full OF American ships. Ameri
can enterprise was everywhere ex
pressed in American commerce. whei
we were little nation. and yet nov
lRaI re ere = gree. nation, lRs ses