New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-09
President Says Democ.
racy Would Be I'M
perilled if War Is
Not Fought Out
Noted Men Form
League for Unity
Church, Labor, Busi.
ness and Agriculture
Join Patriotic
Move

WASHINGTON, Oct. "a movement
TO lead and express public opinion on
the war was inaugursted here to-day
by formation OF the League for Ma
tional Unity, representing church, po-
litical, labor, agricultural and indus
trial organizations, to which President.
Wilson gave his Endorsement in an ad-
dress emphasizing the need for team
play By the forces Of American though,
and opinion.
Welcoming the leaders Of the move
ment at the White House in a 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 is beaten and Germany's
rule of sutocracy and might is super.
seeded by the ideals Of democracy.
This is the issue which the American
people should always keep in mind, the
President said, in order to avoid being
misled into byways of thought and the
resultant scattering OF the force OF
public opinion. Talk of early peace be.
fore Germany is defeated is one Of the
evidences of misdirected thought, he
suggested, and should not cloud the
vision OF those who understand that
the United States is fighting now for
the same ideals of democracy and free
dom that have always actuated the ma.
ticn.
Points Out Peril
The President gave warning that it
should not be forgotten that German
success would mean not only preven
ton of the spread of democracy, but
possibly the suppression Of that al
ready existing.
The text OF the Presidents speech
was not made public. The following
summary was given out by the Com
mittee on Public Information:
"The President in accepting the
offer Of service acknowledged the
governments real need Of such an
authoritative group. He affirmed
his full belief that the people Of the
United States were not in doubt as
10 the justice Of our cause, and were
whole -heartedly behind the prosecu-
tion OF the war 10 a successful CON
clusion, but made recognition Of the
necessity for an organization Of pub
lie opinion a new emphasis upon the
Importance OF team play"
The league will have headquarters
In New York It's object was stated
as follows: ITO create medium
through which the loyal Americans o.
all classes, sections. creeds and parties
can give expression 20 the Fundamental
purpose of the United States to carry
10 successful conclusion this new
war for the independence Of America
and the preservation o. democratic
institutions and the vindication Of the
basic principles of humanity"
The league plans an active campaign
to educate Americans in the idea that
unity Of thought and purpose is as
essential TO successful prosecution OF
the war as cooperation in material
preparations. Conferences of leaders
in the numerous organizations repre-
sented will b. held frequently, state
ments Of principle formulated. and at
tempt 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.
Plan Active Campaign
The league will seek suggestions Of
the individuals and small units Of
forces united in the organization In
the formulation Of statements of prin-
ciples. Thus It is designed to serve
the double purpose of being a definite
means Of expressing public thought
and Of disseminating this thought
through the component organizations.
Inc conference adopted the following
declaration Of principles:
I'm an hour when our nation IL
fighting for the principles upon which
it was founded. in an hourfwhen free
institutions and the hopes Of hu-
manity are at stake. we hold Il the
duty Of every American to take his
place on the firing line OF public
opinion.
at is not time for old prejudices
or academic discussion as TO past diff
ferences. Those who are not now for
America are against America.
"Our cause is just. We took up
the sword only when internstions!
law and ancient rights were set st
naught. and when our forbearsnce haa
been exhausted BY persistent deese'
tion and broken pledges.
"Our aims are explicit. our pI
poses unsoiled By any selhshness,
tA