The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-04-20
URGED CAI.MNESS AND SELF.
POSSESSION IN PRESENT
WORLD CRISIS.
Ambassador Jusserand. Of France,
Pays High Tribute to the
United States.

WASHINGTON. April le.-The need
OF self-possession. calmness and
judicial temperament on the part OF
the United States I'm the present world
crisis was urged to-day by Presideut
Wilson In speech before the open
ing session OF the twenty-fourth con-
tinental congress OF the Daughters OF
the American Revolution. The Presi-
dent said self-possession was the su-
preme test of nations mettle. and
urged the congress TO rally TO the
cause OF righteousness. as ministered
by those who hold their minds quiet
and Judge upon principle.
Following the Presidents speech
Ambassador Jusserand, of France,
told the congress that the United
states had behaved in the European
crisis In such a way as to command
the gratitude and thankfulness OF the
world
The ambassador said the chief aues-
uon In the European struggle was
the same problem that confronted
America In revolutionary times. We
thought we had solved the problem
or human liberty" he added. but a
again confronts us. IL will be solved
now just as IL was solved I'm former
times. as IL was solved in the trenches
at Yorktown"
Only Speak Generally.
The President, I'm his speech. de-
clared that he could speak only in
general terms. and that II was "fu-
discreet for him TO speak even in
that way.
The routine organization of the con-
gress was completed. and the rival
followers OF the two candidates for
president general OF the society were
busy preparing for the election Wed
Sesday. Sssy. Mrs. William Cumming
sion, will be candidate for re-eiac-
tion. and she will be opposed by Mrs
George Thacher Guernsey, of Kansas.
The presidents address follows in
part:
In these times. when unusual
things are happening and there are
many queries as to the future, I sup
pose that these associations whose
business IL Is to commemorate the
past must be asking themselves what
part they have in the future. Our bust
ness, OF course, is not merely one OF
recollection, not merely the business
OF remembering and reverencing the
traditions OF the country that we lowe
There Is no dignity in a tradition
which has lost its practical energy.
and our interest in traditions Is that
they should bear fruitage in the pres
ent and still richer fruifage in tna
future.
sehPossession the Test
There are many tests by which Z
nation makes proof OF its greatness
but II seems To me the supreme test
Is sell-pohseshlon. the power TO resist
excitement. to think calmly. TO think
In moments of difficulty as clearly as
IL would think in moments OF ease
TO be absolute master of itself and
OF its fortunes.
Therefore IL seems to me that fhe
object of traditions such as tffs soci-
ETY. cherishes and means to assist in
perpetuating is to show us the bases
OF principle upon which we shall keep
our poise. We are interested in the
United States. politically speaking. in
nothing but human liberty. We are
not interested In politics OF govern-
ment for their own sake. I venture
to say that II there should ever be
discovered better form of govern
ment than the democratic we should
wish to adopt II because IL was bet
ter. for our object is not to stick in
the bark. our object is not merely to
preserve forms. but to preserve
precious essence. and that is the as
sence of equal opportunity and essen
tial human rights"