Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-28
WILSON SAYS HONOR
DEARER THAN PEACE
President Asserts America Will
Sacrifice ALI But Sense of
Justice to- Avoid War.
ONE THING IT MUST INSIST ON

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2T.-Presi-
dent Wilson told members and guest
at Gridiron club dinner last night
that America ought TO keep out OF
the European war. AT the sacrifice
of everything except this single thing
upon which its character and its
history are founded It's sense OF
humanity and Justice"
The address was confidential. since
the speeches at the dinners OF the
Gridiron club, composed OF news
paper correspondents. are not re-
ported. II was not made public to-
night, however, because many Of
those who heard Il urged that II
should go to the country.
Speaks with Gravity.
The president spoke OF the nations
affairs with unusual gravity. His
hearers. including several hundred
members of congress. government Of
ficials and correspondents we're
brought to their feet cheering when
he concluded with these words:
81 would be Just as much ashamed
to be rash as | would 20 be a coward.
Valor is self-respecting. valor is
circumspect. Valor strikes only
when Il 10 right to strike. V1,or
withholds itself from all small inn
plications and entanglements, and
waits for the great opportunity when
the sword will flash as II it carried
the light OF heaven on its blade"
Not n New FeeIinG.
The address in part follows;
Your talk. MT Tosstmaster has been
n Sreat deal about candidacy for the
presidency. It Is not a new feeling on my
Tart, but one which entertain with a
greater intensity than formerly. this al
a man who seeks the presidency OF the
United States for anything that IL will
bring to him Is an audaoious fool The
responsibilities OF the office ought 10
sober a man even before he approach n
e. One Of the difficulties OF the office
seldom appreciated, dare say, is that Il
Is very difficult to think while so many
people are talking. and particularly whilo
30 many people are talking In way that
Obscure CONSUL and iaSenAirsly ofs-tha-
point 49, II ~
''The point In national affairs. gentle
men. never lies along the lines. OF expedi-
ency. II always rests In the field Of
principle. The United States was. not
founded upon any people Of expediency;
It Is founded on a profounded people OF
and liberty, and whenever II
bases lts policy upon any other founda-
tions than those II builds on the sand and
not upon the solid rock.
Must Keep out of War.
America ought TO keep out OF this
war. II ought to keep out OF this war at
the sacrifice OF everything except the
single thing upon which its character and
history are founded, it's sense OF human
lty and justice. II It sacrifices that, Il has
ceased to be Americh II has ceased TO
entertain to love the traditions which
have made US proud TO be Americana,
and when we so about seeking safety at
the expense OF humanity, then for one
VIII believe that have always been mis-
taken In what have conceived to be the
spirit OF American history.
Acu hrfti taH tcti your OtTeCllou eN-
cept by long measurements. You can
not establish line by two posts; you
have to have three at least to know
whether they are straight with anything
and the longer your line, the more GER
tain your measurements. There is only
one way In which to determine how the
future OF the United States ia going to
be projected and that Is by looking back
and seeing which was the lines ran which
led up to the present moment OF power
and Of opportunity. There is no doubt |
about that There il no auestion what
The roll OF honor In America Is.
The Roll OF Honor.
The roll OF honor consists OF the |
names OF the men who have squared /
heir conduct by ideals OF duty. There |
$ no one else upon the roster. there is no 4
me else whose name We care to re-
Continued on Page Two. Column ThTee.5 /
n n