The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-10-11
KEEP ISSUE III MIND


many is Beaten-Need for Team =,
Play by Forces of American
Thought and Opinion.
An extensive movement to lead and
express public opinion on the war was
naugurated in Washington Monday
by formation of the League for Ma
5ional Unity, representing church, po-
Iitical, labor, agricultural and indus
trial organizations, to which Presl-
dent 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 at the White House in a brief
speech, the President expressed the
belief that American public opinion
although understanding the wars
causes and principles, needs guidance
to remember that the war should end
only when Germany is beaten and
Germany's rule of autocracy and might !
are superseded by the ideals Of de-
mocracy.
This is the issue which the Ameri- |
can people should always keep in
mind. the President said, in order to
avoid being misled into byways of
thought and of the resultant scat
-tering Of the force of public opinion
Talk of early peace before Germany
| i sdefeated is one of the evidences of
misdirected thought, he suggested,
and should not cloud the vision of
those who understand that the Unit
ed States is fighting now for the
same ideals of democracy and free
dom that have always actuated the
nation.
The President gave warning that
it should not be forgotten that Ger
man success would mean not only
prevention Of the spread of democ-
racy, but possibly the suppression Of
that already existing.
League Names Officers.
The league, which will have head
quarters in New York, chose as hon
DIR. Frank Mason North, president of
the Federal Council of Churches
Theo. N. Vail, president of the Amer
lean Telephone & Telegraph company,
is active chairman, with Samuel Com
pers, president Of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor; Charles Barrett,
president of the Farmers Education
al and Cooperative Union, and
George Pope, president Of the Ma
tional Association Of Manufacturers,
as vice chairmen. The object was
stated as follows:
ITO create a medium through which
the loyal Americans Of all classes,
sections, creeds and parties can give
expression to the fundamental pur-
pose Of the United States to carry on
to a successful conclusion this new
war for the independence of America
: and the preservation Of democra tic
institutions and the vindication of the
basic principles of humanity"
Active Educational Campaign.
The league plans an active cam
, paign to educate Americans in the
pose is as essential to successful pros
ecution of the war as coordination
in material preparations. Conferences
of leaders in the numerous organi-
cations represented will be held fire
quently, statements of principles for
mulated and attempts will be made
! to direct public thought through the
mediums of the pulpit, press, public
platform and many kinds of public
semi-public and private organizations
> The conference adopted the following
declaration of principles:
Declaration of Principles.
ain an hour when our nation i
: fighting for the principles upon which
! ! it was founded; in an hour when FREE
institutions and the hopes of human
: ityare at stake, we hold it the duty O
u every American to take his place OF
: the firing line Of public opinion.
! 'It is not time for old prejudice
= or academic discussion as to past diff
y ferences. Those who are not now 70
& America are against America.
- "Our cause is just. We took u
/ and ancient rights were set at naugh1
and when our forbearance had bee
e exhausted by persistent deception an
= broken pledges.
"Our aims are explicit, our purpos
u es unsoiled by any selfishness. W
III defend the sanctities of life, the fur
:. damental descencies Of civilization
81 We fight for just and durable peac
= and that the rule of reason shall /
IL restored to the community of M
tons.
"In this crisis the unity of tt
l. American people must not be impai
ed by the voices of dissension or s.
dition.
r. Seditious Agitation.
nd "Agitation for premature pea,
to is seditious when it's object is to weal
n en- the determination of America
see the war to a conclusive vindic
ur ton Of the principles for which v
of have taken arms.
he The war we are waging is w;
ful against war and it's sacrifices mu
ac- not be nullified by any truce or arr
istice that means no more than
on breathing spell for the enemy.
ar owe believe in the wise purpose
ere the President not to negotiate a pea
ty. with any irresponsible and autocrs
ic dynasty.
Wy we approve the action of the n
ri tlonal government in dispatching