The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-04-07

L Baltiore, April b.--PreSldent Will
sons acceptance in a speech here
tonight of Germany's challenge that
the issue between the central pow
ers and her enemies be settled by
force, brought $4,000 persons cheer
ing to their feet.
When the President declared that
he accepted Germany's challenge
and that force must decide the is
sue, the audience arose and cheered
for several minutes.
The house cheered at great length
! when the President arose to speak
and it was some time before he
could make himself heard.
President Wilson was given a
great demonstration on his arrival
in the hall, which was packed with
$1,000 persons. Thousands were at
the doors unable to get an entrance.
Long lines formed in front OF the
armory as early as 8 o'clock.
Former Governor Phillip /. Colds
borough, introducing the President,
declared that out of the war would
come a new world dedicated to lib
erty. Mr. Goldsborough, Repub-
lican, said that all parties in the
country must rally behind the exec
utiye.
Get Behind the Flag.
"This is no time" said Mr.. Colds
borough "to criticise the govern
ment. This is the time for every
body to get behind our flag"
The Presidents audience was
plainly with him in his denunciation
Of Germany's military masters. 1t
applauded his declaration that he is
ready at any time to discuss a just
peace sincerely proposed.
The Presidents declaration that
nothing is proposed for Germany
but justice was warmly applauded,
as was his statement that Germany's
course in Russia is a cheap triumph.
Full Text of Speech.
In full the presidents speech was
as follows
Fellow Citizens: This is the an
niversary Of our acceptance OF Ger
many's challenge to hgh- for our
right to live and be free and for the
sacred rights of free men every
where. The nation is awake. There
is no need to call to it. We know
what the war must cost, our utmost
sacrifice, the lives of our ittest men
and, if need be, all that we possess.
The loan we are met to discuss is
one of the least parts Of what we
are called upon to give and do,
though the loan in itself is impera-
tive. The people of the whole Coun-
try are alive to the necessity OF it,
and are ready o lend to the utmost,
even where it involves a sharp
skimping and daily sacrifice to lend
out of meager earnings.
They will look with reprobation
and contempt upon these who can
and will not, upon those who de-
mand higher rate OF interest, upon
those who think Of it as mere
commercial transaction. ! have not
come, therefore, to urge the loan. |
have come only to give you, if can,
more vivid conception Of what it
is for.
Reasons for War Clear.
The reasons for this great war,
the reason why it had to come, the
need to fight it through and the is
sues that hang upon its outcome are
more clearly disclosed now than
ever before. 1t is easy to see Just
what this particular loan means, be-
cause the cause we are fighting for
stands more sharply revealed than
ever at any previous crisis of the
momentous struggle. The man who
knows least can now see plainly how
the cause of justice stands and what
the imperishable thing is he is asked
to invest in. Men in America may
be more than sure than they ever
were before that the cause is their
own. and that if it should be LOST,
their own great nations place and
mission in the world would be lost
with it.
No Cheap Hatred.
I call you to witness my fellow
countrymen, that at no stage of this
terrible business have | judged the
purposes OF Germany intemperately
| should be ashamed in the pres
ence of affairs so grave, so fraught
with the destinies OF mankind
throughout the world, to speak with
turbulence, to use the weak Ian
guage of hatred or vindictive pur-
R pose. We must judge as we would
= be judged. have sought to learn
the objects Germany has in this war
from the mouths of her own spokes-
men, and to deal as frankly with
them as | wished them to deal with
me. ! have laid bare our own ideals
our own purposes without reserve
or doubtful phrase, and have asked
them to say as plainly what it is
that they seek.
We have ourselves proposed nc
injustice, no aggression. We are