New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-15
Disloyalty Must Be Crushed,
Wilson Declares on Flag Day

I 70 undermine the influence OF the
government Of the United States IN
the interest Of matters which are Tor
eign to us and which are not derived
from the questions Of our own pol-
tics.
There is disloyalty active in the
United States. anG - must be abso-
lutely crushed. 1t proceeds from
minority. very small minority. but
very active and subtle minority: J..
works underground. but il also shows
its ugly head where we can see II;
and there are those at this moment
who are trying TO levy species OF
political blackmail. saying, DO what
we wish in the interest OF foreign
sentiment or we will wreak our ven
ceance at the polls That is the sort
Of thing against which the American
nation will turn with might anc
triumph Of sentiment which VIII teach
these gentlemen once for all that
loyalty to this flag is the first test
of tolerance in the United States.
THAT is the lesson that have come
10 remind you Of on this day-no mere
sentiment. IL runs into your daily
life and conversation. Are you gong
yourselves. individually and collec-
lively. TO see TO IL that no man is toll
Grated who does not do honor TO thai
flag? 1t is not n matter of force II
is not a matter, that is to say. Of
physical force 1t is a matter OF a
greater force than that which is physl-
cal. II is matter Of spiritual force.
IL is 10 be achieved as we think. as
we purpose. as we believe, and when
the world finally learns that America
is indivisible then the world Will
learn how truly and profoundly great
and powerful America is.
Il realize personally, my fellow citi-
zens. the peculiar significance OF the
fac of the United States at this time,
because there was day not many
years ago when. although ! thought !
knew what the flag stood for, IT had
not penetrated my whole conscious
ness as il has now. II you could have
gone with me through the space OF
the last two years, and could nave
felt the subtle impact Of intrigue ana
sedition and have realized with me
( thai those TO whom you have lntrus'.
cd authority are trustees not only OF
tho power but Of the very spirit ana
purpose Of the United States, you
would realize with me the solemnity
with which | look upon that sublime
symbol of our unity and power
want YOU 10 share that consciousness
with me. | want you 10 reallze tha'
in what / am saying | am merely YOU
Spokesman. merely trying TO interpret
your thoughts. merely trying TO put
into Inadequate words the purpose
that is in your hearts. | regard TINS
day as a dav Of redcdication TO all the
IDEALS Of the United States
Meaning of the Day.
81 took the liberty few weeks ago
n ask our fellow-citizens all over the
United States to gather together IN
celebration OF this day, the anniver-
sarv of the adoption of our present
flag as the emblem Of the nation.
had no legal right TO declare II
bolidav. | had no legal right to ask
for the cessation Of business out
when YOU read the papers tomorrow
morning ! think you Will see that au-
tboritv was not necessary; that tne
people of the country were waiting
for an opportunity to cease thet or
dinarv business and gather togethef
in united demonstration OF their Ieei-
ing as a nation.
sIt was very happy thought nat
lod tho committee OF EthIelhVH ""
baI charge of the dcmonstratlon OF
no forenoon to choose the l4th OF
.Iunc for the parade which most OF rs
bsvo witnessed. II is tiresonfe th.ng'
NV follow citizens. 10 stand hours
and soc a parade 60 by, but ] VAN 10
tsko Won into this secret: II was TOT
half as tiresome as the Inauguration
narade. The Inauguration parade ~ d
very interesting thing, but it is pam
fully interesting to the man VINO Is
/ beiuq inaugurated, because there then
{ lilo ahead Of him the four years OF re-
/ snonsibilitv whose horoscope cannot ne
! east nv any man. But to-day was IN
F tcrestinc because the inauguration
par9de Of the day Of my Inauguration
is more than three years gone by.
have gone through deep waters with
Won in the meantime.
"This narade was not demonstra
ton i'm honor Of any man. II was an
authorizing Of people to demonstrate
Great national sentiment. was MOI
tLc object Of it. was one citizen
among millions whose heart beat II
unison with il. | felt caught up an.
buoved along by the great stream. OF
human purpose which seemed to nov
there i'm front Of me by the stand o5
tho White House. and | shall 20 away
from this meeting. as ! came away
from that parade. with all the deepes'
purpoecs Of my heart renewed; and as