Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-28
Hun Double Drive Nets Small Gains
COMPLETE TEXT OF
WILSON'S ADDRESS

than our ordnance program, or our
ship program or our munitions pro-
gram. or our program for making
millions of men ready.
These others are programs, in
deed, but mere plans upon paper,
unless there is to be an unquestion-
able supply of money.
That is the situation and it is
the situation which creates the
duty, no choice or preference of
ours. There is only one way to
meet that duty. We must meet it
without selfshness or fear of con-
sequences. Politics is adjourned. The
elections will go to those who think
least of it; to those who go to
the constituencies without explana-
tions or excuses with a plain record
of duty faithfully and disinterest-
edly performed, 1, for one, am al
ways confident that the people of
this country will give a just verdict
upon the service of the men who
act for them when the facts are
such that no IMAM can disguise or
conceal them. There is no danger of
deceit now. An intense and pitiless
'ght beats upon every man and
every action in this tragic plot of
war that is now upon the stage. If
lobbyists hurry to Washington to
attempt to turn what you do in
the matter of taxation to their pro-
lection or advantage, the light will
beat also upon them. There is
abundant guel for the light in the
records of the treasury with regard
to profits of every sort. The prof.
teering that cannot be got at by the
restraints of conscience and love of
fPx- h L.
There is such profteering now and
the information with regard to it is
available and indisputable
1 am advising you to act upon
this matter of taxation now, gem
tlemen, not because l do not know
that you can see and interpret the
facts and the duty they impose
Just as well and with as clear a
perception of the obligations in
volved as l can, but because there
is a certain solemn satisfaction in
sharing with you the responsible
ties of such a time. The world
never stood in such a case before.
Men never before had so clear or SO
moving a vision of duty. I know
that you will begrudge the work to
be done here by us no more than
the men begrudge us theirs who lie
In the trenches and sally forth to
their death. There is a stimulating
comradeship knitting us ali to-
gether. And this task to which l
invite your immediate consideration
will be performed under favorable
influences if we will look to what
the country is thinking and expect
ing and care nothing at all for
what is being Said and believed in
the Hobbies of Washington hotels
where the atmosphere seems to
make 1t possible to believe what is
believed nowhere else.
Have you not felt the spirit of
the nation rise and it's thought he
come single and common thought
since these eventful days came in
which we have been sending our
boys to the other side? I think Won
must read that thought, as / do, to
mean this, that the people of this
country are not only united in the
resolute purpose to win this war,
but are ready and willing to bear
any burden and undergo any sacri-
flee that ii may be necessary for
them to bear in order to win it.
We need not be afraid to tax them,
if we lay taxes justly.
They know that the war must
be paid for and that it is they who
must pay for it, and if the burden
is justly distributed and the sac
r.fice made a common sacrifice
from which none escapes who can
bear il at all, they will carry it
cheerfully and with a sort of SOL
emn pride. 1 have always been
proud to be an American and was
never more proud than now when
all that we have said and all that
we have forseen about our people
is coming true. The great days
have come when the only thing
that they ask for or admire is duty
greatly and adequately done. When
their only wish for America is that
she may share the freedom she en-
joys; when great compelling sym
pathy wells up in their hearts for
men everywhere who suffer and
are oppressed, and when they see
at las the high uses for which their
wealth has been piled up and their
mighty power accumulated. and.
neither blood nor treasure,
now that their final opportunity has
come, rejoice TO spend and to be
spent through a long night OF sUf-
fering and terror in order that they
and men everywhere may see the
dawn of a day of righteousness ana
Justice and peace. Shall we grow
weary when they bid US act?
May I not add this word, gentle
men? Just as I was leaving the
White House 1 was told that the
expected drive on the western front
had apparently begun. You can real
ize how that solemnized my feeling
as I came to you. and how it seem
ed to strengthen the purpose which
I have tried to express in 'these
line. | have admired the work of
this session. The way in which the
two houses of the congress have
co-operated with the executive has
been generous and admirable. and II
is not in any spirit of suggesting
duty neglected, but only TO remind
Sou of the common cause and the
common obligation that ] have ven
M tod