The Natchitoches enterprise., 1917-05-31

A member of the illinois State Sen
ate, Mr. O'Donnell on April % sent to
the president this telegram from his
home in Bloomington, ILL.,:
"Just little patriotic offering, may
l 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 world
liberty? With every sentiment of re-
spect.
(Signed) JAMES F. O'DONNELL.
In response, President Wilson per-
sonally wrote the following letter:
81 am deeply appreciative of your
generous kindness in sending me your
check for 81 900 to aid in some way my
efforts for the peace of the world and
the liberty of its people, but find N.Y.
self little embarrassed because l do
not know just what sort of use to put
it Q mat would be consistent with your
wishes.
''As a matter of fact, 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. Il 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'Donnell wrote
this letter to the President suggesting
the hero medals:
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 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.
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 that1
Jur country bestow distinction that
will more faithfully index the trend.
md reflect the forward ideal by which
1ou, Mr.. President have given direction
% the spirit of the times, Peace and
liberty. You contended long and hard
or the one and now step In to turn its
opposite as means to both.
let us have :'Wilsonian Symbol"
Let this greater and more meaningful
ecognition be awarded any individual
Who in peace or in war, in literature or
n science. does anything to hasten that
a which higher civilization lies Let
he contribution. to the. Wilsonian Sym
oil Foundation be sacredly confined to
ne thousand dollars per year to the end
hat it be held privilege to give, and
hat the principle of Americanism be
opularly observed.
Let the design consist chiefly Of the
GODDESS of Liberty, the dove and the
live br anch, enclosing globe in sim
lie expression of world peace and world
berty. Let the Wilsonian Symbol be
annually, on Easter Monday.
reathing indeed Peace on Earth"
All this if left to you, Mr.. President,
] consideration of rnodesty, would end
ere; but your even greater patriotism
i'll not deny leave to submit the idea
such representative Senator'S as }
,anlilton Lewis, John Sharp Williams,
oles, Penrose, Thomas J. Walsh,
gorge E.; Chamberlain and Hiram. w.
ohnson, who may be pleased to sug-
est the properties. DO them that
ndness.
With feelings of deepest respect,
'igned) JAMES f. O,DONNELL.
n. Woodrow Wilson,
resident Of the United States,
lhite House,
Washington, d. G.