The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-13
NEW LEAGUE FORMED.
MIR. WILSON ENDORSES LEAGUE
TO LEAD PUBLIC OPINION
ON THE WAR IN THE
UNITED STATES.
States Germany Must be Whipped and
Talk OF Peace Before Germany is
Defeated is Evidence of Misdirect-
cd Thought.

Washington, Oct. 8.-Americans who
are discussing early peace with Ger
many forget that it would mean
crushing the democratic ideals for
which the United States has always
stood, said President Wilson today to
the organizers of a patriotic educa-
uonal movement who called at the
White House. He said the only way
to end the war is by complete victory
OF the nations representing those
ideals over Germany's doctrine of
force.
An extensive movement to lead and
express public opinion on the war was
inaugurated here today by the forma-
ton of the League For National Unity.
representing church, political, labor.
agricultural and industrial organiza-
tions to which President Wilson gave
his endorsement in an address empha-
sizing the need for team play by the
forces Of American thought and opin-
ion.
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. all
though understanding the wars
causes and principles, needs guidance
to remember that the war should end
only when Germany is beaten and
Germans rule of autocracy and might
are superseded by the ideals of de-
mocracy.
This is the issue which the Ameri-
can people should always keen i'm
mird, the president said, in order
to avoid being misled into byways of
thought and of the resultant scatter
ing of the force of public opinion.
Talk of early peace before 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 Unit
ed states is fighting now for the same
ideals Of democracy end freedom
that nave always actuated the nation.
The president gave warning that it
should not be forgotten that Ger
mary's success would mean not only
prevention of the spread of democ-
racy, but possibly the suppression OF
that already existing.
The league, which will have head
quarters in New York, chose as hon.
orary chairmen Cardinal Gibbons and
DR.. Frank Mason North, president of
the Federal Council of Churches.
Theodore N. Vail is active Chairman.
with Samuel Gompers. president of
the American Federation of Labor:
Charles c. Barrett. president of the
Farmers Educational and Coopera-
tive Union and George Pope, presi-
dent of the National Association of
Manufacturers, as vice chairman. The
object was stated as follows:
ITO create a medium through
which the loyal Americans of all
| classes. sections, creeds and parties
can give expression to the fundamen-
tai purpose Of the United States. to
carry on to a successful conclusion
this new war for the independence
of America and the preservation of
democratic institutions and the vindi-
cation of the basic principles of hu-
manity"
The league plans an active cam
palsn to educate Americans in the idea
that unity Of thought and purpose is
as essential to successful prosecution
OF the war as cooperation in mater
ial proportions
Conferences of leaders in the nu.
merous organizations represented will
be held frequently, statements OF
principle formulated and attempts will
be made to direct public thought
through the mediums of the pulpit.
press, public platform and naany kinds
of public and semi-public organiza-
tions. The league will seek sugges-
tions of individuals and small units of
forces united in the organization
formulation of statements of princi-
pies. Thus it is designed to serve the
double purpose Of being a definite
means of expressing thought and ot
disseminating this thought through the
component organizations.