The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-12

WASHINGTON, Oct. t1.--President VII.
son sounded n keynote OF the next ma.
'ohal campaign In a speech on national
unity delivered before the Dauyhter, of
me American Revolution at Continental
Han this afternoon.
America first was the phrase with
which the President summarized the is.
sue lie presented.
iook Forward said he. TO the
necessity in every political agitation in
tho years which are Immediately at
nan" OF calling upon every man to de-
clare himself where he stands.'
To those who do not place America
hrst the President uttered a challenge
that they stand forth on one side. dis
tinct from the great mass of their for
e'sn born fellow citizens who do not
overlook the ideal OF America. He de-
ciareu that the number of our citizens
VINO nave not entertained with suf-
hcient intensity and affection the Ameri-
can IDEAL has been overestimated.
Not Afraid OF q Test,
Those who would secl; to represent
them are very vocal. but they are not
very influential" said Mr.. Wilson. "I
would not be afraid upon the test Of
america first to take u census of all
the foreign born citizens OF the United
states, for ! know that the vast ma
Jority OF them came here because they
believed in America. and their belief in
america has made them better citizens
than some people who were born in
America.
81 am not deceived continued the
president. "as TO the balance of opinion
among the foreign born citizens of the
United States. but l am in hurry to
have an opportunity to have a lineup
and let the men who are thinking of
other countries stand ON one side
Biblicaly. it should he on the left
and all those that are for America first,
last and all the time on the other side
The President gave warning that he
purposed to administer discipline to these
hyphcnated Americans through directing
public opinion against them.
he gave new definition Of American
neutrality. II is not To he suspected,
he said, that American hearts do not
throb with intense sympathy or that
American heads have not formed clear
ideas OF the merits of the great war,
and the preservation OF our neutrality,
he declared, must not be attributed to
desire To keep out OF trouble.
Americas Aim.
We are trying TO preserve the foun-
dations upon which peace can be re-
built. he said. Peace can be rebuilt
only upon the ancient and accepted prin-
ciples OF international law
II is the function Of America. he said
TO stand apart unembroiled in order
that these principles may be preserved
Tor application at the end of the war
These were the outstanding points in
what is regarded here as one Of tn
strongest uttcrance OF the President
since he was inaugurated. The speech
and the manner of its delivery were
totally dissimlar to a majority of the
official utteranccs of President Wilson.
He began in the attitude of restraint
and reserve which usually characterizes
his utterances on international sub bjects
Then suddenly his arm shot out in a
vigorous gesture and he hurled his de-
fancc at those citizens Of vaunted po-
litcal power who have sought to sway
the policy OF the Government one way or
another in partisanship with regard to
the respective belligerent sides
His audience was electrified. Re-
peatedly the President was interrupted