Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-22
BIG CROWD HEARS
PLEA FOR RECRUITS
Representative Gardner and
Secretary TumuIty Address
Gathering at Star.
VICE PRESIDENT IN THRONG

President, gave some first-hand facts
about the entrance of the United States
into war against Germany last night
in an impromptu and unscheduled ad-
dress that was a feature of the recruit
ing meeting held under the auspices of
The Star to obtain enlstments in the
great crowd which gathered in front of
The Star building. Mr.. Tumulty came
to the speakers platform at the request
OF the chairman of the meeting and by
his words reused his audience to a
high pitch of patriotic fervor.
In the midst of the great assemblage
during portion of the recruiting
meeting stood the Vice President and
Mrs. Marshall. unrecognized save by a
few persons near them by reason of
the size of the crowd.
Makes Stirring Appeal.
A stirring appeal for national pre-
paredness and recruits in the land and
water forces of the nation was made by
Representative Augustus p. Gardner
Of Massachusetts,. one of the foremost
preparedness advocates in Congress,
and direct appeals for recruits in the
Marine Corps were made by Brig. Gen.
Charles H. H.aLauchheimer, adjutafit and
inspector, and Brig. Gen. George Rich
ards. paymaster Of the corps.
Secretary Tumulty's address gave an
unexpected and dramatic turn to the
meeting. for what he had to say were
the words Of one high up in the coun-
ellis of the nation, and ears were strain
ed to catch every word he uttered. He
had come to the meeting as private
citizen just as Vice President Marshall
had come.
Repeated outbursts Of applause greet
ed his utterances. but at no time was
the applause so great as when he made
the prediction that the next few weeks
will witness the greatest demonstra-
tions of patriotism this country ever
has seen.
Address Of Mr.. Tumulty.
Mr.. Tumulty said. in part:
II think your chairman has taken an
unfair advantage of me. / was here
tonight because 1 wanted to participate
in these patriotic ceremonies purely as
a private citizen. But as long as he
has unexpectedly singled me out of the
crowd and asked me to say a few
words to you. l may be able to say
something of interest. This Is the time
when all of us must serve in whatever
way we are called upon. and l am no
exception.
This is not private fight. This is
a war in which every man. woman and
child of America will have the oppor-
tunity of rededicating themselves to
the ideals and purposes on which
America was founded. This is a fight
in which the two greatest forces in the
history of the world are now contend
ing. on one hand the force OF democracy
and on the other the force OF autoc-
racy II is great struggle on the
part of men, women and children who
are trying to beat their way up to
liberty-a struggle which must chai-
lenge the imagination of men every
where.
wow. shall America go forward. with
the hearts of men. women and children
shot through with patriotic impulses!
We know that she will. l have been
placed in a position which has given
me an opportunity to render judg-
ment on the evidence in this case, l be-
lieve. America was patient. America
could afford to be patient until the su-
would be ready to issue a challenge to
tn sse forces which have been fighting
against the spirit Of democracy. in
which has lain our safety. in which has
lain the safety of the world.
When Intrigue Seemed Rampant.
The patience of those in authority
was tried again and again when those
in this country who should have done
so did not speak in terms of America.
1t seemed sometimes as if some of these
were more interested in intrigue than
| in the duty of protecting the folds of
the Star Spangled Banner which flies
above your heads. Men argued for
peace, not realizing that there could be
no peace until there was first a reali-
/ zation of the spiritual conceptions of
America--freedom and liberty for men,
women and children not only of the
United States, but of the whole world
! No one can deliberate now upon the
prospect that opens before us without
being thrilled The republic of the Unit
; ed States was set up to vindicate the
principle of freedom which is the real
conception of liberty. Do you not re-
cal the men of Lexington. of Bunker
| call the men OF Lexington, of Bunker
| the weary way at Valley Force? The
men in the Mexican war, the civil war
| the Spanish American war?
America Had No Choice."
i Il want to challenge the young men
grouped here tonight. Will you accept
the challenge of democracy? Are Won
the sons of the men who were willing
to die for the principles on which our
republic was founded?
| Il meet some men who are cold and
unfeeling when the future of America
is discussed. Do you think there was
any choice as to our entering this war?
Do you think there is any choice
| thought there was any choice l would
have prayed to God that we might
| Continued on Second Page.)