Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-17

emotions within me, the presi-
dent began.
1t is with no ordinary sympa-
thy that the people of the Unit
ed States, for whom 1 have the
privilege Of speaking, have view
ed the sufferings of the people
of France. Many of our own
people have been themselves wit
nesses of those sufferings. We
more deeply moved by the
wrongs of the war because we
knew the manner in which they
were perpetrated.
1 beg that you will not sup
pose that because a wide ocean
separated us in space we were
not in effect eye-witnesses of the
shameful ruin that was wrought
and the cruel and unnecessary
sufferings that were brought
upon you. These sufferings have
filled our hearts with indigna-
ton. We know what they were,
not only, but we know what they
signifed. and our hearts were
touched to the quick by them,
our imaginations filed with the
whole picture of what France
and Belgium in particular had
experienced.
why u. 8. Entered War
When the United States en-
tered the war, therefore, they
entered it not only because they
were moved by a conviction that
the purposes of the central en-
pires were wrong and must be
resisted by men everywhere who
loved liberty and the right. but
also because the illicit ambitions
which they were entertaining
and attempting to realize had led
to the practices which shocked
our hearts as much as they OF
Tended our principles.
Our resolution was formal be-
cause we knew how profoundly
great principles of right were
affected, but our hearts moved
also with our resolution.
You have been exceedingly gen.
erous in what you have been
gracious enough to say about me,
generous far beyond my per-
sonal deserts, but you have in
terpreted with real insight the
motives and resolution of the
people of the United States.
Whatever influence I exercise,
whatever authority speak with,
l derive from them. know what
they have thought. 1 know what
they have desired, and when
have spoken what 1 know was
in their minds, it has been de-
lightful to see how the con-
sciences and purposes of free
men everywhere responded. We
have merely established our right
to the full fellowship of those
peoples here and throughout the
world who reverence the right
of genuine liberty and justice.
You have made me feel very
much at home here, rot merely
by the delightful warmth OF
your welcome, but also by the
manner in which you have made
me realize to the utmost the in
innate community of thought
oh oh
your people and the great ma
ton which 1 have the honor for
the time to represent.
Your welcome to Paris l shall
always remember as one Of the
unique and inspiring experience
of nv life and while l feel that
you are honoring the people OF
the United States in my person,
1 shall nevertheless carry away
with me a very keen personal
qualification in looking back
upon these memorable days.
Permit me to thank you from
a full heart.
Address of Welcome
Adrion Mithourad, president of II
municipal council of Paris, address
ing President Wilson, said:
1 have the honor, IN the pres
ence of the president of the re-
public to present to you the mu-
nicipal council Of Paris, whose in
depreciation 1 am in welcoming
the chief OF the great nation
whose aid arriving so opportune-
ly brought US victory, and the
upright man whose conscience
fashioned his policy and whose
diplomacy was made Of loyalty.
Turning to Mrs. Wilson, NTH
ourad said:
Madame. Paris is infinitely
happy, and is touched, that you
who have accompanied the presi-
dent, have been good enough to
add to this occasion the charm
and the grace Of your presence.
We have long been aware of your
devotion and of the wise and
beneficent activity you have
shown by the side of your illus
trious husband. Yet nothing
strikes so much at the heart of
the people of Paris as to be per-
nitted to know those who have
already conquered by their good
ness. Thus Paris by my voice
acc1aims you, and lays at your
feet. Madame, the homage of Its
gratitude and its respect.
Finally. speaking again TO
President Wilson:
Mr.. President, il is with deep
emotion that the capital welcomes
today the first president of the
United States who has crossed
the ocean and our hotel De Vile,
cradle of French liberty. will
mark in its annals the day on
which IT was permitted to receive
the eminent statesmen Of the
union, the citizen of the world
dare we say the great European
rrogation-whose voice. heard
before the coming of victory call
ed to life the oppressed among
the nations.