New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-28
Former Ambassador De-
clares America Will Not
Fail at the End
Ohioans Cheer Flags
1--WE Are for Freedom First, "
Cries Chairman at Big
Banquet

faLflOtiSm WIS IAe uOVAhdhb hNNS a.
the thirty first annual dinner OF the
Ohio Society of New York, held last
night in the grand ballroom Of the
waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Every speaker
sounded the call for an undivided al
legiance to the United States; every
one of the 400 members Of the society
and their guests showed their. approval
of such sentiments.
The room in which the dinner was
held was covered with American flags.
The double tier of boxes was con-
cealed behind the Stars and Stripes;
the national flag waved froE, in front
Of every guest and every speaker. At
the close Of the dinner, amid thunder
Gus applause, q giant flag was un-
furled from the ceiling as the or
chestra played "The Star-Spangled
Banner"
For Freedom First
Charles P. Bruch, president Of the
society, before he had introduced for
mer Ambassador Myron 7. Herrick.
former Senator Theodore F.. Burton,
Martin W. Littleton and Dudley Field
Malone as speakers, defined ohio's po-
sition in the present crisis.
ave are not jingoists," Mr.. Bruch
declared. 1--WE are not clamoring for
war at any cost, nor are we begging
for peace at any price. we are for
freedom first; not for safety first"
In the part America is about 20 be
called upon to play in the great drama
of the European war, Mr.. Herrick, for
MGR Ambassador 10 France, sees the
real test of American institutions and
of Americas democratic form OF gcv-
eminent
"For fifty years we men and women
of this country have been telling our
selves that we were trying out new
kind of government here" he said. I'VE
have at last come 10 believe that we
have solved the problems of this demo-
cratic government
"But the real test Of democracy is
vet 10 come. We are now TO learn
whether this form of government-of
the people and by the people-can DC
made an efficient institution in the face
of a crisis such as We now face.
ave may muddle for a time; it may
even take tragedy to bring US to our
senses. But when the final test does
come no American need blush for the
honor of the American flag or the
honor of the American people
Burton Behind President
America must wake up, and must
hush up partisanship," declared forme
Senator Burton. 81 am one VINO ala
not vote for the present Chief Execu-
tive. | have often criticised him. But
the time has now come when every
man, no matter what mis- political talth
NAV be. must stand solidly behind the
President. If I were still in the Senate
[ should not hesitate to vote to grant
him the power for which ne asked IN
his address TO Congress yesterday.
"This country must prepare ITSELF 70
make the same selfsacritices that gen
erations before have made. Should a
foreign invasion come, | am certain
we could repel it. But to take our
proper place among the nations OF the
world. We must HEsb otSNAc WI
at home. We must prepare for the
new citizenship that will come at the
wars close"
Mr.. Burton believes that a decisive
victory for one of the European bel
ligerents is necessary 70 insure world
peace. A draw, he declared, would
leave the entire world an armed camp,
each nation preparing for the next
war. -.
Mr.. Littleton expressed the belief
that only by universal military service
in this country can America prepare
herself 10 stand for her own rights. .,
Collector Malone said that ne had
talked with President Wilson night be-
fore last, and that he seemed utterly
weighed down by the cares the inter-
national crisis has placed upon him.
Among those at the guest table last
night were Warren H. Foster, Haven
G. Emerson, Colgate Hoyt, r. A. C.
Smith, Charles NJ. Schwab, Marcus NJ
Marks, Robert Adsmson, Henry ";
Taft. Major Charles Elliot Warren and
william McAdoo.