The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1917-05-24

A member of the illinois State Sen
ate, Mr.. O'Donnell on April 20 sent tc
the president this telegram from his
home in Bloomington, H.:
Just little patriotic offering, may
| have the honor to wish that the ac-
Complying thousand dollars be allowed
to aid in some way your magnificent
campaign for world peace and for worlc
liberty? With every sentiment of re-
/ spect.
| (Signed) JAMES F. O'DONNELL."
In response, President Wilson per
Esenally wrote the following letter:
Il am deeply appreciative of your
generous kindness in sending me your
check for 81, 600 to aid in some way my
efforts for the peace of the world and
the liberty of its people, but find my
self little embarrassed because / do
net know just what sort of use to put
| it 10 that would be consistent with your
wishes.
s'As matter of act, there is no ex-
penditure that could personally make
| in connection with these efforts of my
own, and | write to ask if you would
not be kind enough to designate some
special object, like for example, the
work of the American Red Cross or the
work of relief in Belgium, or something
of that sort. q am not suggesting
these, but merely using them as illus
trations.) Cordially and sincerely
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON,"
Following this Mr.. O'Donnell made
the suggestion of starting the fund to
apply to the rewards for men of the
ranks who achieve heroic notice.
And in reply Mr. O'DonneN wrote
this letter to the President suggesting
the hero medals: y
New Orleans, La, May 2.
MY Dear President wilson:
Replying to your very great favor of
the 18th. The dawn of peace so much
|craved seems but a matter of weeks,
and the first thought of reward for the
men of the ranks who achieved heroic
notice gives way to a suggestion prob
ably more attuned to conditions.
England confers the Victorian Cross;
France the Legion of Honor; Germany
the Iron Cross, and so on. But these
have to do with distinction in war and
war is to be made trade of the past.
Militarism will end with monarchy.
Democracy needs no prop but the pa
triotiSm of the people. This is the
picture you have held up.
May have the honor to suggest that
our country bestow distinction that
will more faithfully index the trend.
and reflect the forward ideal by which
you, Mr.. President have given direction
to the spirit of the times, Peace and
Liberty. You contended long and hard
for the one and now step in to turn its !
enforced opposite as means to both.
Let US have "Wilsonian Symbol.
Let this greater and more meaningful
recognition be awarded any individual
who in peace or in war, in literature or
in science. does anything to hasten that
in which higher civilization lies Let
the contribution to the Wilsonian Sym
Dol Foundation be sacredly confined to
one thousand dollars per year to the end |
that it be held a privilege to give, and
that the principle of Americanism be
observed
Let the design consist chiefly of the
Goddess of Liberty, the dove and the
olive br anch, enclosing a globe in sim
pie exp ression of world peace and world |
liberty Let the Wilsonian Symbol be
confer red annually, on Easter Monday, |
breath ing indeed "Peace>o on Earth.
All this if left to You, Mr.. President, /
IN con sideration of modesty, would end /
here; but your even greater patriotism
will not deny leave to submit the idea
IF such representative Senator's as D
Hamilton Lewis, John Sharp Williams,
Boles, Penrose, Thomas ]. Walsh, I
George E. chamberlain and Hiram w.
Johnson, who may be pleased to sug-1
yest the properties. DO them that
kindness.
With feelings of deepest respect,
Signed JAMES F. O'DONNELL.
Mr. Woodrow Wilson,
PRESIDENT Of the United States,
White House,
Washington, d. Z.