West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-04-20

! upon any occasion Bho
hshts merely for herself under such
circumstances as will show that abe
mas forgotten TO fight for all mankind.
Ana the only excuse that America oan
ever have for the assertion OF her phy-
Sical force is that she asserts it in be-
hait OF the interests OF humanity"
president Wilson uttered theaa
words In Continental hall this after-
noon I'm an address welcoming tho
daughters of the American Royolu-
'lon' gathered here for their annual
congress.
The President was enthusIasticalIv
applauded. When he was introduced
by Mrs. William Cummings story the
presldent-general OF the organization.
inc audience stood and choered and
many OF the women waved American
hags. The Presidents address fol-
lows:
i have told you upon more than
one occasion of the sentiments which
are chiefly stirred In mo by LOOKING
upon a company like this. 1 waa
thinking today that II this orRaniza-
uon had been formed in the very ear
~ years OF our republic, II would have
Deeh looked upon with n good deal of
dlsiaVor, because you would then hava
Deen suspected OF setting up gome
sort OF aristocratic class. II would
nave been thought that you were act
ing In spirit contrary TO the demo-
cratic spirit professed by the founders
of the Republic itself.
You will remember that that sort
OF criticism was stirred by the founda.
tion OF the Society OF the Cincinnati.
IL was supposed that they were setting
up an organization, which, because it's
membership was handed on by primo
centre, was an organization entirely
contrary to the spirit OF American In
sututions. But Il very interesting
thing has happened. The proportion
OF those who can derive their lineage
from officers who took part In the
American revolution is a constantly
decreasing proportion.
You cannot be suspected OF trying
TO build up an organization which will
control the country. On the contrarv
the spirit in which you have formed
THIS organization was from the frat
manifest. 1t was not spirit OF caste
or OF privilege, but a spirit OF rever-
ence for great tradition. And, for
my part, believe that the chief SER
vice OF great organization like this
ls to keep a certain beautiful senti-
ment warm and vital in the conscious
ness OF the American people.
Tradition is n handsome thing I'm
proportion as we live up to II. II we
fall away from the tradition of the
fathers, we have dlshonored them. If
we forget the traditions OF the fathers
we have changed our character: we
have lost an old impulse; we have be-
come unconscious Of the principles I'm
which the life of the nation itself is
rooted and grounded.
Therefore, this organization under
took to keep those who fell under It's
influence constantly reminded OF the
circumstances OF the birth OF this ma
ton and Of the significance of the birth
OF this nation. That Significance was
very singular Significance. No other
nation was ever born into the world
with the purpose OF serving the rest
Of the world just as much as II served
Itself.
THE purpose OF this nation was I'm
one sense TO afford an asylum to men
Of all classes and kinds who desired
70 be free and to take part In the ad-
ministrat!on Of self-governed com
monwealth. II was founded I'm order
that mon OF every sort should have
proof given that "a commonwealth OF
that sort was practicable not only. but
would win its standing OF distinction
and power among the nations OF the
world
And America will have forgotten
her traditions whenever upon any oc-
casion she fights merely for herself
when such circumstances az will show
that she has forgotten TO hght for ali
mankind. And the only excuse that
America can ever have for the asser-
ton OF her physical force is that she
asserts It IN behalf OF the interests OF
humanity.
What a splendid thing Il is to have
so singular a tradition tradition OF
unsolfshness. When America ceases
20 be unsel6sh, she will cease TO be
America When she forgets the ira
! ditions Of devotion to human rights in
general which gave spirit and impulse
TO her founders she will have lost her
title deeds to her own nationality.
"So 70 is to my mind a very happy
circumstance that here in the capital
Of The nation. in this home OF your
own building. you should meet every
year fra order 20 keep bright the fires
that have always burned upon this al
tar OF devotion to human rights. that
is the title Of this society 20 distinc-
ton and 70 mortality. and therefore I
feel that am greeting you as II
come to a renewal Of eli the pledges
Of our national life when I greet and
welcome you, as so warmly do. 20.
This, our common capital"