New-York tribune., 1916-02-26
UNITED AMERICA,
BUTLER'S PLEA
Columbia President Asks
if We Are Sure What
Nation Stands For.

Speaking at the dinner Of the trust
section Of the American Bankers AS
sociation at the Waldorf last night,
Nicholas Murray Butler, president OF
Columbia University, made plea for
United America, raising the question,
"Are we sure that America stands
for?"
whatever may be the sadness, sor-
row and devastation of the war in
Europe said DR.. Butler, 1--WE at least
know what each great nation Of Europe
stands for; what it thinks of itself and
how it faces a world at war. In each
there is a substantial unity of spirit
and purpose and zeal for successful
issue and devotion to principles which
make compelling appeal to nation.
"Then cannot help asking: Are we
quite so sure what America stands
for9 We are confronted by clamorous
voices at war with each other, by IN
citement to dislike and to hate, and
there is all over this broad land feel
ing of more or less unrest az to just
what our 1OO,OOO,OOO of Americans
really stand for.
The European war has put TO test
the temper of these peoples engaged
in il, and il is also putting to test
the temper of the American people.
That test we must meet II we are 10
preserve our national self-respect ana
unity and if we are TO go forward with
anv measure of influence and authority
to the generation that is TO come,
ave ued to know, our fathers knew,
what the words American and Ameri-
canism meant. Are we quite sure
what is meant by them now?"
THE curtain has risen on third
period in American history Or.
Butler continued. ave are now faced
by the problem of international rela-
tions and the international policy OF
a democratic government. What shall
be the international aim, purpose, and
methods of a democracy? How shall
we avoid entangling alliances with any
one people and how preserve friendly
relations with all?
IF we are 10 find relief from the
sense of sadness and of oppression
feel, we can only find il in new
and clear vision of American duty and
opportunity namely, to learn what
Americanism means, TO teach II to our
children and hold it up TO the nations
of the world as a lighthouse 70 those
seeking a peaceful hearth
Howard Elliott, the only other
speaker talked on federal valuation OF
the railroads. He made plea for
fair treatment for the owners of the
railroads of the country.
Standing as / do" he said, in the
shadow and shock of a tragedy on a
railroad of which | am one of $4,000
men, striving TO furnish adequate and
safe transportation 70 millions Cf peo-
pie, ! may be unduly impressed with
the difficulties of the problem confront
ing the railroads and the country and
the great responsibility that rests upon
the owners, officers and employees of
the railroads, the government itself
and the people to do all within their
power TO solve quickly the problem of
handling these great properties 50 that
they will be adequate for the needs OF
the public and be in a state % pre-
pareGness, come what may"
John Ii. Mason. of Philadelphia. pre-
sided at the dinner, which was attend
ed by ZOO members and guests. With
him at the head table. in addition to
Dr. Butler and Mr. Elliott. were Henry
2. DAWSON, Frederick f. Farnsworth,
Judge Ebert -. Gary, Eugene l.. Rich
ards, L. |. Rue, James Speyer. Frank
Trumbull, F. D. Underwood and Dan
iel willard.