Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-02-23
LAST MEMS CLUB
AGAIN At Dinner
IA Members of Association
Hold Annual Reunion
at Hotel Du POnt
DR.. HARRIS ADDS
PATRIOTIC TOUCH


Of George Washington Last Man Club
gathered IN celebration Of Washington 5
Birthday anniversary and the twelfth
anniversary Of the club at a smoker in
Parlors A and B Of the Hotel dupont
last evening Patriotism was the key
note Of occasion The usual elaborate
supper was dispensed with and only a
smoker held, and Mr. William Z Har-
rls, historian Of the club, gave a stir
ring patriotic address on why We
DISREGARD the Advice Of Washington
and Enter into the World War" Or.
Harris said:
For several years ] have had the
pleasure Of addressing you at these
celebrations 70 being the birthday Of
the Father OF our Country and as this
organization is named for him. II had
been my custom 10 select for my sub
ject General Washington or some his
torio event 10 connection with his
life.
since our last meeting which was
Just one year ago today, a great change
has taken place In our country Amer
ica is at war. 10 will be my purpose
tonight 10 point out 10 you why we
disregard the advice OF General Wash
ington to keep out Of European ALI
ances and plunged into this great war
The dream Of world power Of Ger
many was so preposterous TO the
peace and liberty loving people Of our
country that we could not take it seri-
ously We thoroughly understood how
stout hearts would rise as one man
and flsht on and on forever before we
would submit to the tyranny Of any
autocratic or relinquinsh one lota OF
liberty This was very plain to us
but it was not 10 Germany. She looked
upon America and stlll presunies TO as
a lot Of buffers. whore word has no
meaning This and this only is why she
dares TO make war upon us Her egot-
ism and arrogance which have blinded
her as only vainly can do; this same
egotism will be her downfall Il was
not courage that prompted Germany "a
start this world war, IL was greed plu:
preparedness and efficiency.
at IS useless for me 10 recall The
courage or the suferines Of the little
band Of patriots led by George Wash
ington on the splendid principals they
stood for. They are too well known
to all Of you. The only difference be
tween the things they fought for and
what we are nghting for today Is thai
theirs were national and restricted e
America whilo ours are universal anC
without restrictions.
In speaking Of General Washins-
toms policies, ] do not with 10 convey
the THOUGHT that he was selfish FOL
such Is not my purpose Political con-
Giti0ns at that time were very diner
ent from now Democracy had not beer
tried and proven its worth. Europ,
was fun Of secret scheming selfish al
liances between its governments. This
was no doubt the reason that prompt.
ed General WASHINGTON to warn his
people 10 keep away from Europear
policies 70 was the fear that the liber.
Ties Of our own people would be en-
dancered For more than a hundred
wears we have adhered TO his advice
and no doubt have proflted thereby. II
Is often asked Why we at this time
should disregard his warning anc
change our policy7 10 was after oul
Government and its people had care
fully watched and studied the purpose:
OF this monster as he stalked oyel
Europe. intoxicated with his success
crushing out all that was good anC
dear TO humanity, that brought US C
the full realization OF what II al
meant; II she was successful with hel
mst for power over there America
with her riches and the liberties which
are so precious 10 US, would be the
next victim.
Most OF the Governments OF Europe
have become very liberal In their con
troll this was menacing TO Germany
a. -. In NanHa aNf4NnN
and crush them, forever putting al
end 30 the dangers OF her own people
b coming imbued with the spirit Of
freedom.
after forty years Of preparation sh'
thought she had her plans all perfect
ed. her enemies with their democratic
learninss had naid little attention &
the THINGS military. so the task wat
easy. with one stroke OF her might!
sword she could put civilization L
rout then she could march or un
hampered until the shores OF our hap
DIV land were invaded and the IRON hee
OF the despot was put upon us. Thii
was the dream Of the mon-ter and THU
Is why we changed our policy. Blu
alasi Germany in her egotism ha'
failed in overlooking the hearts OF men
she had not estimated the value o
liberty-loving people This spirit 81
heroicly displayed by the French
checked at the very gates OF Paris
This same spirit viii see the might!
German Emnire crushed and her peo
pie asking the world for mercy.
"A great many Germans in Thu
country are still az loss 10 know
why We want TO make war upon Ger
many. They picture TO YOU what 0oo'
citizens neople from the Fatherlan'
have made for America This ] vii
grant 10 all who have been true TO ih
country of their adoption Il Is equally
as difficult for MS 20 understand wh,
Germany wanted to make war unon us
unless she had the sni~'t Of AGGRESSION
and murder in her heart 7 have hear
the theory advanced that Germany i
much overcrowded her reovle mus
aave room 10 eyrand as fhou-h a Ger
man could not live under the fac o
smother nation. and vet thev are ner
fertlv willlne "a comnel Others 10 liv
under theirs. When Won sion 10 ana
I'VE the careful nrepa~ation o. the Ger
man mind bv tie rulers II Ia easy 10
us 20 understand how necessary tia
this spirit must be brofen. as tn
world could never be safe with sucl
selfshness displayed and boosted OF b,