New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-19
HE KEPT US OUT OF WAR
New Standard of Greatness in a Nation S
Leader.

To the Editor or The Tribune.
Sir: ! overheard prominent gentleman
from California say. discussing President
Wilson: well, he's kept US out Of war
This was the proof Of a great President. one
who had demonstrated his success and Wis
dom. because hes kept Us out OF war.
Here we have answer TO all Of Mr. Wilson's
critics War is hell therefore. II it Is
avoided, let US sing GLORY, Hallelujah!"
IL other words. avoid IT, no matter what De
the means or ways adopted. This man might
add something Of this sort to carry out his
ideal keep US out OF war; and his words
would in all probability be: I'VE want peace,
prosperity and wealth; if anything comes up
to disturb this, avoid it keep Americans of
armed ships and keep out % trouble
No one wants war l. il can be helped but
there is something greater than prosperity
wealth and even life-that IS honor II
honor is lost, or sheved. nothing remains
worth while in country or in man.
Honor is the foundation Of character; cnarac-
ter is the foundation Of strength and virtue
II our country seems 10 be lost IN material
ism, it will have 20 "cast off the cloak and
show its real worth and love OF the true ideal,
or decline and fall Even if we hear many
people advocating the giving up Of rights. the
bowling before the threat OF "frightfuness,'
the policy of the written word, and not the
act; nevertheless be 1t true, we still be-
leve our country will awake to the facts
sooner or later, and be willing to suffer and
undergo every self-sacrifce when the time
comes, when the real leader comesi
For the moment we have been STEPPED in
materialism. Vast prosperity. wealth and
production on q huge scale have blinded Us
TO the fact that all this. though 1t be very
fine is not the main thing. over IN Europe
we nation setting up before the world
an ideal, goal. that has never before been
equalled in the history of the world France
started in her fight for life with every disad-
vantage possible: Cd A republican form OF
government. (2) A corrupt political organiza
tion. 90 A total lack Of unity, coupled with
party antagonism and mutual distrust -
An army that. although valiant, was UMPIRE
pared. 90 Generals that we're political ia
vorites and had to be later removed. Yet
when the call came, unity and one IDEAL
sprung from this apparent chaos: that one
ideal was France. first and last" And the
most horrible war France has ever expert
enced began Was il worth while? From a
material standpoint. no; but from the other
and greater standpoint, yes. France might
have let Germany conquer Russia and put
herself in yassalagc 10 the cruel Tcuton, and
prospered and had good business and com
mercc occasionally advised by Germany
what not 10 do. There were a few factions.
comprising some thousands, who wanted TO
avoid war at all costs but they were soon
buried IN the fervor Of patriotism. France
might have been kept out OF war" and that
granting my California friend were a
Frenchman) would have pleased the gentle
man to whom / refer in the opening para
graph. who backed Mr.. Wilson solely on that
account.
What is above all needed in our United
States is leader leader who is capable o.
facing the greatest problems that have ever
before confronted this country. Upon him,
If he does appear. viii depend the future
welfare and glory OF our country.
II. VI. LANDON.
New York. Apri! T. 1916.