The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-10-09
Join Hands for Country
Wide Solidarity Behind
Government in War.
PRESIDENTS SPEECH
ENDORSES MOVEMENT
Medium Through Which
Loyalty Can Voice Senti-
ment During Conflict.

Washington Oct. S.-A movement to
lead and express public opinion ON the
war was started here today by the
formation of the leaguc for national
union, representing, church. political.
labor. agricultural and industrial or
ganizations, to which President Wilson
gave his endorsement in an address.
emphasizing the need for team play by
the forces of American thought and
opinion.
Welcoming the leaders of the move
ment ut tho White House in brief
speech, the president expressed the be-
lief that American public opinion. al.
though understanding the wars causes
and principles. needs guidance to re
member that the war should end only
when Germany's rule of autocracy
and might are superseded by the
ideals of democracy.
President Sounds Warming.
The president gave warning that 1t
not be forgotten that German success
would mean not only prevention or tho
spread of democracy. hut possibly the
The league, which will have head
quarters IN New York. chose as hon.
orary chairmen. Cardinal Gibbons and
Or. Frank Mason North, president of
the federal council of churches. Theo-
dorc \. Vail. president of the Ameri-
can Telephone and Telegraph COM
pany. is active chairman. with Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation of Labor. Charles Barrett.
president of the Farmers Educational
and co-Opcrative Union, and George
Pore, president of the National Asso-
citation Of Manufacturers. as vice
chairmen. The object was stated as
| follows
Leagues Object
ITO create n medium through which
| the loyal Americans or all classes,
| sections. crccds and parties can give
| expression to the fundamental purpose
| OF the United States to carry on to q;
| successful conclusion this new war for
| the Independence of America and the
preservation OF democratic institutions
and the vindication of the basic prin-
ciples Of humanity" #.=.,.,..
The league plans an active campaign
to educate Americans In the ideal
| that unity of thought and purpose Is
as essential to successful prosecution
Of the war as CO. operation In material
| preparations, conferences of leaders In
the numerous organizations represent
ed win be held frequently, statements
of principle formulated and attempt
will be made tot direct public thought
through tho medium OF the pulpit.
press. public platform and many kinds
Of public, semi public and private or
ganizations.
| II is designed 10 servo the double
purpose OF being a definite means OF
expressing public thought and Of dis
seminating this thought through the
component organizations.
The conference adopted the follow
ing declaration of principles
Principles.
In an hour when our nation is fight
ing for the principles upon which II
was founded. in an hour when free
institutions and hopes Of humanity
are at stake, we hold it the duty OIL
every American to take his place or
the firing line of public opinion.
1t is not Il time for old prejudices
of academic discussion as to past diff
ferences. Those who are not now fo
America, are against America. Ou
cause is just. Our aims are explicit
our purposes unsoiled by any selfish
ness We defend the sanctities o
life. the fundamental decencies 0
civilization. We fight for just AM
durable peace.
In this crisis the unity of the Amer
lean people must not be impaired b
= voices of dissension or sedition.
Wage War Against War.
Agitation for Il premature peace
seditions when its object is to weak
en- the determination of America I
see the war through to conclusiv
, vindication of the principles for whlc
we have taken arms.
The war we are waging Is a va
!, against war and it's sacrifices must M
be nullified by any truce or armistls
that means no more than q breafhiu
spell for the enemy.
We approve the action OF the nj
l., tional government In dispatching 4
N expeditionary force to the land
.. LaFayette and Rochambeau. Eth,
~ we fight the enemy on foreign 50
"a shoulder to shoulder with comrades
ITorVir,,ns3 ~ BE- T-3,,- -