New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-09
eve Have Fought Our
Fight, Now Back Presi-
dent" Says Wadsworth
WHITMAN ATTENDS
DINNER TO KOENlO
Governor Endorses Amer
lea First" Sentiment OF
Other Speakers

"This is not time for partisan talk.
We have fought our political fights IN
earnest and in the open. In this nour'
however. our lips are closed to criti-
cism of the President Of all of US, VINO
has spoken for America. We would
rot be good Republicans, or good
Democrats, or good Americans, Il we
did not stand squarely behind our
President in this critical period Of our
nation"
Senator James W. Wadsworth, lr'
thus sounded the keynote of PATRIOTISM
which led to great enthusiastic
demonstration at the gathering OF l'ooo
Republicans, including most OF the
leaders of the city and the state at
the dinner held in honor Of Samuel ,,
Koenig, chairman OF the kepuDilcah
County Committee, at the Hotter As'oi
last night. ,,-,.t.
Governor Whitman, DR.. Nichoias
Murray Butler, James R. Shefheld' the
postmaster; Mr.. koenIg and other
speakers ell joined IN an earnest hes-
sage 10 the people of the city ana s.a'J
to uphold the Presidents hands, ana
hasten 10 prepare for the worst while
still hoping that war would not CONT
War Tinges Dinner
While the dinner was held to 90
honor TO Mr. koenig for his WORK ID
the campaign last November IN cutting
down materially the usual I&mmahy
maiorties in this county, the war clouu
hanging over the nation settled upon
the assemblage early IN the evening
and the speakers, after passing tTlD-
,Ite TO the county chairman, warmed TO
the subject of PATRIOTISM ana rouseu
q ringing response.
Governor Whitman, the first speaker,
paid high tribute to Mr.. koenig. lie
declared that Sem Koenig was the type
of party machine leader who stood for
everything that was unselhsh ana
clean. He commended his work as
chairman for the last six years ana
particularly the part he took IN BRING
ing about fusion in the municipal cam
paicn four years ago.
The Governor, however, did not COM
mend in person Mayor Mitchell or other
city officials. Referring TO the present
international crisis, the Governor SAID:
"Of course, the people are support
ing all their public officers IN TINS
crisis. Of course, we are supporting
the Governor of the state, and every
man of us is back of the President
of the United States. That goes with
out saying.
eve would be false to the traditions
Of the Republican party, false to our
citizenship, if we did not al stshd
souarely back Of President Wilson. Our
.r 20 tho gftnqffOn win
unhampered loyalty and the fullest
preparation We can have should the
war come, which we pray God 1t Will
not"
"Star-Spanglcd Banner" Sung
At the opening OF the dinner the
lights Of the large ballroom were low
cred, sesrchights were thrown on two
American flags WHICH were unfurled in
the breeze from electric fans, and the
company sang "The Star-Spangled Ban
ner" standing Two large flags over
the rostrum were swung aside, reveal
ing the national emblem in colored
electric lights. A toast was drunk to
President Wilson.
There were thirty Tammany district
leaders among the diners who enjoyed
the show Of loyalty 70 the President.
POSTMASTER Sheffield insisted that
while no one could tell what each hour
would bring forth the Republicans
stood ready 20 do their share with
loyalty that compared to 1861. He en-
phasized the point that in times Of
peril TO the country politics were erased.
The speaker culogized Mr.. Koenig, and
incidentally paid Mayor Mitchell the
tribute Of being the best Mayor that
this city had ever had.
Senator Wadsworth said that he
could bring one message from Wash
ngtou. and that was that Congress
stood ready 10 a man TO uphold the
hands Of President Wilson in the pres
ent crisis.
"Thc Senate voted almost unani-
mously In support of the Presidents
action IN seyering diplomatic relations
with great European power" said
Senator Wadsworth I'VE did so be
cause we believed he did exactly the
right thing, and the only thing that
would preserve the integrity Of our