Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-07

this menace, Under which we are now
suffering. Is not one wntch diminishes
with the growth of civilization, but. on
the contrary. it increases with them.
"UnhappiIy We Know Better Now"
When I was young we used to flattsf
ourselves that progress inevitably meant
peace, and that growth Of knowledge was
always accomplished as its natural fruit
by the growth of good will among the ma
tions of the earth. Unhappily we know
better now, and we know there Is sucn
thing in the world as power which can
with unvarying persistency focus all the
resources Of knowledge and OF civilization
into the one great task Of making Itself
the moral and material master Of the
world. 1t is against that danger that we.
the free peoples of Western civilization.
have banded ourselves together.
1T is in that great cause that we are
going to fight and are fighting at this
very moment, side by side. In that cause
we shall surely conquer: and our children
will look back to this fateful date as the
one from which democracies can feel Sc
cure that their progress. their civilization.
their rivalry, if need be, will be conduct
ed, not on German lines, but In the free
and friendly spirit which really BELTS the
age in which we live.
'Mr. Speaker. ladies and gentlemen
beg most sincerely to repeat again how
heartily I thank you for the cordial well
come which you have given US today. ana
to repeat my profound sense OF the Sig
nifcance of this unique meeting"
President Shakes His Hand
Apparently Mr.. Balfour did not know
that President Wilson was0bne of the
most interested listeners, and when he
ended his speech he went to the we'll
of the House, where members began
passing to shake his hand.
President Wilson came down from
the gallery and joined the line. AS he
appeared on the floor he was cheered
again, and took a place just ahead of
Representative. Jeanette Rankin.
President Wilson chatted a moment
with Speaker Clark. Another receiving
line formed quickly and the President
greeted many members Of the House.
Justices of the supreme court, head
ed by Chief Justice White, occupied
chairs on the floor. In the diplomatic
gallery were American, British and
French officials.
:" Was Little Nervous"
Mr.. Balfour gave cordial greeting
to every member as the line filed by
Several members told him how much
they had enjoyed his speech.
Did you like it?'' he asked smilingly.
Very much" they answered.
Thank you so much" he replied. II
was little nervous, although l have
been speaking all my life."
While the members were passing he
turned to Speaker Clark and asked where
the Presidents gallery was. The Speaker
told him, and adjusting his glasses he
surveyed it for moment
Representative jeanette Rankin intro
duced a little girl to Mr. Balfour.
Il am SO glad to have this pleasure
said the British minister.
Gen. Bridges, who was all smiles
through the reception, kissed little girl
who accompanied a member, and remark
ed that 1T is little difficult to combine
business and pleasure" The members
cheered again as the party left.
On motion of Republican Leader Mann
the proceedings, which were in recess,
were ordered printed in the Congressional
Record.