The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-21

in the State, regardless OF his polltls
cal a1iliation, the message Of Presi-
dent Wilson, delivered TO a gathering
of Democrats here last night by Sec
rotary Tumulty.
Not only was it a message to New
Jersey Democrats. but in many par
ticulars it will serve as message to
Democrats throughout the nation.
The President calls on all true
Americans. regardless of political
ties, to enter upon every program
in a spirit OF utter disinterested
ness" He declared that mo party
must serve itself. but every party
must try to serve humanity.
The PreSIdents Message.
The Presidents message follows:
My dear Mr.. POSTMASTER:
Il sincerely regret that matters OF
pressing Importance will prevent my
taking part in the reorganization
banquet to which you have generously
invited me. 1t Is my feeling. as
am sure It will be the feeling OF those
present. that my clear duty Is TO stay
on the job. My work can be properly
done only II l devote my whole
thought and attention to II and think
Of nothing but the immediate task in
hand.
AT the same time. It is clear that
in the present posture OF affairs in
New Jersey l cannot overlook my re-
sponsibility as leader of a great party
and that it is my privilege to point
out what believe to be the duty or
the Democrats in New Jersey. now
and in the months to come. in order
that the exigency of a great hour OF
crisis may properly be met
During the months that ] had the
privilege OF serving the people of New
Jersey in the office OF governor, We
sought to accomplish this definite pur-
pose, namely. to open the processes Of
government to the access and inspec-
| ton OF every citizen. in order that the
people might feel that the govern
ment OF New Jersey represented their
hopes, their impulses, and their SYM
pathies. IL was with this great pur-
pose in mind that we succeeded in es-
] tablishing electoral machinery which
took away from selfish political lead
ers the power to hold the mass Of the
party voters OF the State in subjec-
employers liability. we substituted
for the cold letter OF the old law the
warm and wholesome tonic OF hu-
name statute. In every act OF legisla-
| ton we cut a clcar pathway OF public
service and achieved a record remark
able for its variety and humanity, in
| every way comprehensive in character
and touching no vital interest In the
State with a spirit OF injustice or DEM
agogy We gave the people. after
many tedious and discouraging years
of waiting a government which they
could feel was their own. free and
unhampered by special privilege.
Time of Crisis.
a time OF grave crisis has come
! in the life OF the Democratic. party
! in New Jersey. a time when Its
! friends and supporters must face the
facts OF the situation IL they would
/ serve the cause OF free government
/ in New Jersey. Every sign Of these
! terrible days OF war and revolution
| airy change, when economic and So
/ cIaI forces are being released upon
| the world whose effect no political
\ seer dare venture to conjecture. bids
us search our hearts through and
through and make them ready for
| the birth OF a new day. day we
! hope and believe OF greater oppor-
tunity and greater prosperity for the
average mass OF struggling men ana
women. and OF greater safety and
opportunity for children.
1.-The old party slogans have lost
their significance and will mean
nothing to the voter OF the future.
4 for the war Is certain TO change the
mind OF Europe as we'll as the mind
of America. Men everywhere are
searching democratic principles to
their hearts in order to determine
IL. their ainTRFifN their
adaptability TO the real needs OF
their life, and every man with any
vision must see that the real test OF
Justice and right action is presently
4 to come as it never came before. The
men in the trenches, who have been
freed from the economic serfdom to
which some OF them had been accus-
toned will, Il is likely. return to
their homes with a new view and a
new Impotence OF all mere political
phrases and will demand real think
ling and sincere action.
Let the Democratic party in New
Jersey. therefore, forget everything
but the new service which they are
to be called upon to render. The days
of political and economic reconstruc-
ton which are ahead OF US no man
can now definitely assess, but We
/ KNOW lnlss lHuI every PROGRAM mus
be shot through and through with ut
ter disinteredness, that no party must
try to serve Itself blu every party
must try TO serve humanity, and that
the task is very practical one,
meaning that every program. every
measure in every program. must be
tested by this question. and this ques
tion only: Is il just, is 1t for the bene-
nt OF the average man, without in.
fuence or privilege: does il embody
in real fact the highest conception OF
social justice and OF right dealing.
without respect OF person or class or
particular interest? This is a high
test. II can be met only by those
who have genuine sympathy with the
mass OF men and real insight into
their needs and opportunities and a
purpose which is purssd alike OF sci.
FISH and OF partisan intention. The
party which rises TO this test Will re-
ceive tho support OF the people, be
cause Il deserves It.
i Very sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON,
Mr.. TumuIty's Speech.
Tn spaach Toaanb