Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-05
Salient Point of Presi-
dent Wilson'S 18th of
July Address
SPEAKS TO
GATHERING AT
MOUNT VERNON
Officials and Diplomats Of Al
lied Nations Hear Chief EX-
ecutive Enunciate Principles
and Objects Which United
States is Striving for

States is Striving for
Washington, July 4-President
Wilson today answered all feelers
for q compromise peace, with a new
and unqualified conservation of
America to the struggle for cleaning
military autocracy from the earth.
At an Independence Day gather
ing on the gentle slopes of Mount
Vernon. home and tomb of George
Washington and surrounded by
scenes which looked upon the crea-
ton Of this nation the President adj
dressed a small gathering of officials
and of diplomats of the allied ma
tons.
But he spoke to the world and
be spoke the logical sequel to his
force without stint or limit de-
claratlon of several weeks ago.
Whether the President was adj
dressing his remarks directly TO the
recent speech of German foreign
Secretary Won kushmann; or to the
foreShadowS of a renewed German
peace offensive, or whether he mere
Is took the occasion Of the ceiebra-
ton of American independence to
emphasize TO the world the war aims
Of the nation. can only be OWNED.
He did not deal with the progress
Of the war or any particular phase
of it, but he spoke eloquently of
i Americas attitude toward Germ
anys so called peace treaties in the
cast by grouping the people OF Rus
STA for the moment unorganized
and helpless" among the peoples OF
the world standing against the. en-
emios Of liberty
The presidents speech in fun was
as follows:
Gentlemen OF the Diplomatic corps
and my fellow citizens: I am happy
TO draw apart with you to this quiet
place Of old counsel in order to speak
little Of the meaning of this day Of
our nations independence. The place
seems very still and remote 1t is as
serene and untouched by hurry Of the
world as it was in those great DAYS
long ago when General Washington
was here and held ieisurely confer
Hnce with the men who were to be as
ISOLATED with him in the creation of
a nation. From these gentle sIopes
they looked out upon the world and
saw it whole, saw it with the light of
the future upon it, saw it with mod
ern eyes that turned away from q
past which men Of liberated spirits
could no longer endure. 1t is for that
reason that we cannot feel, even here.
in the immediate presence Of this sa-
cred tomb. that this is a place Of
death. 1t was Il place of achieve
mont. great promise that was
meant for all mankind was here Civ
on plan and reality. The associa-
tons by which we are here surround
cf are the inspiring associations Of
that noble death which is only a glo-
rtous consummation. From this green
hillside We also ought To he able to
SEQ with comprehcndinc eyes the
world that lies around us and con-
ceiN" anew the purpose that must set
mon free
1T Is significant significant Of
their own character and purpose and
- Tho Influences they are setting
foot that Washington and his asso-
crates. like the harons al Runnym.de
poke ana acted. not for a class but
f"r "a people II has been left for us
t'.so" - II that it shall be understood
that they spoke and acted. not for a
einsl' pcop'e only hut for all man
kind They were thinking. not OF
themselves and II ,he Material inter-
"sts "mcA centcrel in the little
H''ups q hndholders and merchants
ana men &C affairs With whom they
were accustomed :" act. in Virginia
ana vac colonies {" the north and
todiN ~ here, hut Of a people which