New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-12

We have. indeed. entered into this war;
but do we realize fully what 1t means
II YOU would know what II means, pet
ure as best you can in your Imagination
wounded France; picture. II YOU can, the
stains on that fair land and the oiood
that has there flowed. not simply lor
the sake OF France, but for our sake
and II YOU would know how this hgnt "a
TO be won still. contemplate France
Arise. Americans arise TO the ialth'
the courage. the devotion. the sublime
spirit Of sacrifice Of France, and the
victory is won.
at will not be won otherwise. Let
US not delude ourselves with false
hopes. Let us count the cost and meas
ure ourselves TO this great enterprise
upon which We have entered. Inc
message of France is not the message
Of an abstract principle. Beautiful as
arc the principles of democracy, inc
message is not simply tribute TO those
ideals. This is n message that comes
from men, statesmen. soldiers, who IN
this time Of test have been the incar-
nate opponents OF the principle Of hb-
erty. showing what democracy can do
with all the difficulties OF democracy,
how democracy can defend itself; now
democracy can express itself; how de-
mocrscy can give itself just as efficient
~, just as completely, just as VIC
toriously as the legions OF the greatest
autocracy the world has ever seen.
France has lost her men, thousands
upon thousands. She has been bied
white. We cannot begin 10 understand
the sacrifices of that nation. We can
not begin to understand the depths Of
the ahliction which she has suffered.
But that spirit is unconquerable. And
as long as the world lasts men who
stand for the rights Of the people will
derive their inspiration from the forti-
tude. spirit and devotion of that great
republic. our long time friend. our
present ally.
"As great statesman OF our coun-
try has said. the only greatness that
counts is the arduous greatness of things
done. That is the greatness Of France.
If we would achieve as American citi-
zens. it will not be by calling the roll
Of our resources; it will not be by
exposing our statistics; it will not be
by pride in wealth and industrial de
velopment; it will be because, with all
this extraordinary progress, We shall
have still kept the faith of democracy
in our hearts. and we will always be
willing TO give the last token OF our
fidelity to the principles of liberty by
being willing to shed our blood that
they may be preserved
Wickersham Presides
George W. Wickersham, who pre-
sided. opened the after luncheon ex-
ercises by proposing a toast to the
President OF the United States and the
President of the French Republic:
When this had been drunk he launched
into his address of welcome, referring
TO the guest of honor as "the official
head of the French bar, Minister of
Justice of the French Republic. sue
cessful advocate and the most eloquent
orator In a nation celebrated for its
oratory."
To-day the voice Of this great
Frenchman," he said. "cries out against
international injustice in the words OF
Voltaire, 'Ecrassez l'infame. destroy
and trample under the feet Of an out
ragged civilization the barbarisms Of
German kultur, that the world may
once more breathe freely and live nor
mally under the reign Of law and JUS
tice and freedom"
After Mr.. Hughes had spoken Mr.
Wickersham expressed to the company
the regrets of the Mayor and Of Elihu
Root at their inability to attend the
luncheon. Mr.. Root, who had been
called to Washington, headed the list
of speakers on the formal programme.
Toast to Belgium
Mr.. Wickersham also interpolated
here a toast TO Belgium in words which
elected much applause. He said:
Before introducing the next speak
er think you would not forgive me II
| did not propose one toast We have
with us here a representative of that
heroic little nation that interposed it.
self between the tremendous brute
force of Germany and the unprepared-
ness OF France. There are two figures
of incompatible grandeur in the world
to-day. There is the heroic figure of
that young Sir Galahad, Albert, King
of the Belgians, and there is the sub
lime figure Of that great cleric, typify-
ing in himself the courage of Christi
anity against the forces Of darkness,
Cardinal MERCER.
"Gentlemen, raise your glasses and
drink TO Belgium"
They raised themselves, their glasses
and their voices in one mighty tribute.