New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-01
HOPES TO AVOID
WAR, SAYS WILSON
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a monopoly Of Progressive principles,
and referred to the 'legions OF PRO
gressives who were going to support
President Wilson," but he carefully
avoided saying that he was In tnat
class
Mayor Mitchell made what a good
many Of the diners considered the best
speech of the evening. He spo Ike OF the
loyalty of New York City TO the Presi-
dent. of the speedy response OF the Ma
tional Guard, and Of the many thou-
sands of New Workers who were ready
20 respond TO further calls from the
President. ,
Ralph Pulitzer, editor OF "The
World" also spoke, but his speech
sounded more like an obituary Of Presl-
dent Wilson than words Of praise, al
though Mr. Pulitzer. no doubt, meant 1t
for the latter. II was facetious
speech. but one which led former
Sheriff Bob Chanler, who was at one OF
the tables, to remark that Mr.. Pulitzer
was an excellent obituar- writer.
President Gets Pin.
Before the addresses Miss Anna
i
songs. Diamond Jim Brady was also
a busy man. He came into the dining
room with ten pins shaped as American
flags set with diamonds, rubies and tur-
duoises. One of these he presented 20
the President, who wore II through the
evening.
While the gathering was in progress
a little conference on the side lines
caused lot of talk. Tom Smith, who
was at the dinner as the representative
of Tammany Hall; Henry Morgenthau
and Secretary Tumulty had their heads
together, and everybody wondered what
it was all about.
The hall presented a pretty scene.
At the tables were about 700 members
of the Press Club and their guests,
while in the boxes were the wives,
sweethearts and sisters of the mem
bers.
"Mr. Toastmaster, Mr. Mayor, gentle
men Of the Press Club, ladies and
gentlemen" the President began, 81
realize that | have done q very i'm
prudent thing; | have come 10 address
this thoughtful company of men with
out any preparation whatever. II |
could have written as witty speech as
Mr.. Pulitzer | would have written 1t.
If I could have written as clear an
enunciation Of the fundamental ideals
Of American patriotism as the Mayor
should have attempted it. If | could
have been as appealing a person and
of as feeling d heart as Mr.. Cobb /
would have felt safe.
al | could have been as generous
and interesting and genuine as MIR.
Colby I should have felt that ! could
let myself go without any preparation;
But, gentlemen, as matter or fact, l
have been absorbed by the responsible
ties which have been so frequently re-
ferred to here tonight, and that pre-
occupation has made II impossible for
me to forecast even what you would
like TO hear me talk about.
"Therei is somethingv oddly contra
dictory about the effect you men have
on me. You are sometimes, particularly
In your Photographic enterprises, very
brutal to me, and you sometimes invade
nv privacy even TO the extent Of formu-
lating my judgments before they arc
formed, and yet am tempted, when
stand face to face with you, TO take of
all guard and merely expose myself 10
you as the fallible human being that
| am.
"Mr. Colby said something that was
among the few things ! had forecast
to say myself. He said that there are
certain things which really il is useless
TO debate, because they go as matter
of course. OF course. it is cur duty TO
prepare this nation 10 take care of its
honor and of its institutions. Why de-
bate any part of that, except the detail,
except the plan itself, which is always
debatable? OF course, it is the duty OF
the government, which it will never
overlook, TO defend the territory and
people Of this country. II goes without
saying that il is the duty Of the Ad-
ministration 10 have constantly IN
mind with the utmost sensitiveness
every point of national honor.
Easiest to Strike"
"But, gentlemen, after you have said
I and accepted these obvious things, your
programme of action is still TO be
/ formed. When will you act, and how
will YOU act? The easiest thing is 10
/ strike. The brutal thing is the impul-
/ sive thing. No man has TO think before
/ he takes aggressive action, but before a
man really cOnserves the honor by real
/ izing the ideals of the nation he ha:
10 think exactly what he will do and
J now ne Will 90 IT. ~ you bHlHh NHt
! glory of America would be enhanced by
war of conquest in Mexico? Do you
think that any act of violence by g
powerful nation like this against a
weak and distracted neighbor would re
feet distinction upon the annals of the
/ United States? Do you think that II
, is our duty TO carry self-defence TO the
point OF dictation in the affairs OF an
other people? The ideals Of America
are written plain upon every page OF
| American history.
"And | want you to know how fully
! | realize whose servant am. ! do not
! own the government Of the United
! States. even for the time being. ! have
no right in the use of it 10 express my
own passions. ! have no RICH. to ex'
1 press my own ambitions for the devel.
/ opment of America, if those ambition:
( are not coincident with the ambition:
of the nation itself. And | have con.
stantly TO remind myself that an
/ not the servant of those who wish "a
enhance the value of their Mexican in
| yestments bur that | am the seryan,