Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-18
Shouts Greet
Wilson Asking
Aid of People
President Mentions European
War and Mexican Situation
in Address at Jefferson Day
Banquet in Capital

WASHINGTON, April 14-President
Wilson, speaking at a Jefferson Day ban
quet of Democrats from all parts of
the country here last night, prayed that
the United States would not be drawn
into a quarrel not of Its own choosing.
but asked if the people were ready to
go in where the interests of America
were coincident with the interests of
humanity and have the courage 20
withdraw when the interests of hu-
manity had been conserved. He was
interrupted by cheers and shouts OF
yes"
During his address the president
had mentioned the European war and
the Mexican question without intimat-
ing what were his plans In either of the
problems confronting the United States.
He declared that in the present sit
uation the responsibility was with the
Democratic party because that party
controls the government and that 'it IS
for US to hold the balance even and
mot to allow some malign influence to
depress one side or the other. 20
CRITICIZES REPUBLICANS.
Most of the speech was devoted to re-
viewing the achievements of the
Democratic party during the last three
years and to a criticism of the Repub
licans as the party with "a provincial
spirit" The president asserted the ma
ton was better prepared than ever be-
fore to show now America can lead the
way along the path of light.
The president declared he was not in
terested in personal ambition, nor even
enthusiastic over party success, but
that he was interested in seeing the load
depressing humanity lifted. He mem
toned none of the Republican leaders
by name, but when he spoke of ambi-
tious men there were shouts of "T. r"
What the nation demands now, the
president said is service, especially
non-partisan, not only in consideration
of foreign affairs but in domestic at
fairs as we'll.
Referring incidentally to Mexico, he
told of how a man had urged that trus-
tees for that nations welfare be chosen
and of his reply that no nation had
achieved real prosperity and happiness
for it's masses through a trusteeship
imposed on it from above.
CHEERS FOR WILSON.
1t was the first speech of political
nature the president had made Tor sew
eral months, and was delivered oefore
an audience including nearly all the
members of his cabinet Democratic
members of the senate and house, Dem
ocratic state chairmen from many states
and other high officials of the nation
and states gathered to attend the annuai
BANQUET of the Common Counsel clup'
The president was referred to repeat
edly as the next president by senators
Hollis and Walsh and Representative
Glass, who preceded him, and each ut
terance of his name was received with
enthusiastic applause.
Senator Walsh spoke of the president
as man who "snuns war as the SUI
preme calamity which can befall the
nation" but who nevertheless prepares
for war.
MAY God continue to preserve the
nation in peace" the senator added.
Mrs. Wilson and the wives of the
cabinet officers occupied a box during
the speaking.
William ]. Harris. of the federal trade
commission, who is one of the charter
members of the Common Counsel club,
had as his personal guest Edward T.
Brown, of Atlanta. Mrs. Harris was
also a guest in the balcony reserved for
the ladies.