The Washington herald., 1918-05-28
COMPLETETEXTOF: PRESIDENT
WILSON'S REVENUE ADDRESS

q Just verdict upon the service Of
the men when the facts are such
that no man can disguise or con-
ceal them.
There Is no danger Of deceit
now.
An intense and pitiiess light
beats upon every man and every
action in this tragic plot of war
mat is now upon the stage.
II lobbyists hurry to Washing
ton to attempt to turn what you
do In the matter Of taxation. to
their protection or advantage, the
light will beat also upon them.
There is abundant fuel for the
light in the records Of the Treas
ury with regards to profits Of
every sort.
got at by the restraints of con-
science and love OF country can
be got at by taxation.
There is such profiteering now
and the information with regard
to It is available and indisputable.
Events Knit Us Together.
I am advising you to act upon
this matter of taxation now, gen.
tlemen. not because ! do not know
that you can see and interpret
the facts and the duty they i'm
pose just Is well and with as clear
a perception of the obligations In
volved as l can, but because there
Is certain solemn satisfaction
in sharing with you the RESPONSE
bilities of such a time. The world
never stood I'm such case before.
Men never before had SO clear or
SO moving a vision of duty.
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 comrade-
ship knitting US all together. And
this task to which I invite your
immediate consideration will be
performed under favorable in
fiuences II we will look to what
the country is thinking and ex-
pecting and care nothing at all
for what is being said and be-
lieved in the lobbies of Washington
hotels, where the atmosphere
seems to make it possible to be-
lieve what Is believed nowhere
else.
Nations, Spirit Rises.
Have YOU not felt the spirit of
the nation rise and its thought be-
come a single and common thought
since these eventful days came in
which we have been sending our
boys to the other side? ! think
you must read that thought. as l
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
sacrifice that it may be necessary
for them to bear in order to win IL.
We need not be afraid to tax
them. II We lay taxes justly. They
know that the war must be paid
for and that it is they who must
pay for II. and il the burden is
justly distributed and the sacrifice
made a common sacrifice from
which none escapes who can bear
1t at all, they will carry it cheer
fully and with a sort of solemn
pride.
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
foreseen about our people is COM
ing true.
The great days have come when
the only thing that they ask
for or admire is duty greatly end
adequately done; when their only
wish for America is that she may
share the freedom she enjoys;
when a great, compelling SYM
pathy wells up in their hearts for
men everywhere who suffer and
are oppressed. and when they See
at last the high uses for which
their wealth has been piled up ana
their mighty power accumulated
and. counting neither blood nor
treasure now that their final day
OF opportunity has come. rejoice to
spend and to be spent through a
long night of suffering and terror
in order that they and men
everywhere may see the dawn of
day of righteousness and justice
anu peace. Sndll we grow weary
when they bid US act?
Compliments the Congress.
After he had concluded reading
from the printed copy. President
Wilson said:
Il add this word. gentlemen. Just
as I was leaving the White House
was told that the expected drive
On the western front has apparent
Iy begun. You can realize how that
solemnfzed my telling as 1 came to
you. and how it seems to strength
IN the privilege which 1 have tried
10 express in these lines.
Il have admired the work OF this
session. The way in which the two
houses of this Congress had CO.
operated with the executive has
been generous and admirable, and il
IS not in a spirit of suggesting duty
neglected. but only to remind you of
The common cause and the common
obligation that have ventured to
come to you today"