Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-07-16
The President Gives Account of Els Stewardship Be1ore
Crowded Senate Received With Tumutuous Applause,
And Heard With Rapt Attention
GREATER PART OF ADDRESS DEVOTED TO LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Succnctness Rather Than Verboy Marked the Composition
of the Address Which Will Go Down Into History One
of the Most Remarkable Documents of ANY Age.

we, have sought no special reparation
for ourselves. but only the restoration
Of right and the assurance Of liberty
everywhere that the effects Of the
: settlement were to be felt. We en-
tered the war as disinterested cham
pions of right and we interested our
selves in the terms OF the peace in
10 other capacity.
The hopes OF the nations allied
against the central powers were at
very low ebb when our soldiers began
to pour across the sea.
There was everywhere amongst
them, except in their stoutest spirits,
a sombre foreboding of disaster. The
war ended in November, eight months
Eago. but you have only to recall what
was feared in midsummer last four
shcrt months before the armis.ice. to
realize what it was that our timely
aid accom- plished alike for their
morale and their physical safety. The
first, never-to!be-forgotten action at
Chateau Thierry, had already taken
place. Our redoubtable soldiers and
marines had already closed the gap
the enemy had succeeded in opening
for their advance upon Paris-had al
ready turned the tide of battle back
towards the frontiers of France and
begun the rout that was 70 save Eu-
rope and the world Thereafter the
GeSmans were to be always forced
back, were never to thrust success
fully forward again. And yet, there
was no confident hope Anxious men
and women, leading spirits OF France.
attended the celebration of the Fourth
of July last year in Paris out of gen.
erous courtesy-with no heart for
festivity, little zest for hope. But they
came away with something new at
their hearts; they have themselves
told us 50. The mere sight OF uor
men-of their vigor, Of the confidence
that showed itself in every movement
/ of their stalwart figures and every turn
of their swinging march, in their
steady comprehending eyes and easy
discipline. in the indomitable air that
added spirit to everything they did
made every one who saw them that
remarkable day realize that something
had happened that was much more
than a mere incident in the fighting,
something very different from the
mere arrival of fresh troops. A great
moral force had flung itself into the
struggle. The fine physical force OF
these spirited men spoke OF some
thing more than bodily vigor. They
carried the great ideals of free peo-
ple at their. hearts and with that
vision were unconquerable. Their
very presence brought reinsurance;
their fighting made victory certain.
They were recognized as crusaders
and as their thousands swelled tG
millions their strength was seen to
mean salvation. And they were fit men
to carry such hope and make good
the assurance it forecast.
Finer men never went into battle:
and their officers were worthy OF
them. This is not the occasion upon
which to utter an eulogy Of the armies
America sent to France. but perhaps.
since am speaking Of their mission
may speak also of the pride shared
with every American who saw or
dealt with them there. They were the
sort of men America would wish u
claim as fellow countrymen and COM
rades in a great cause. They were
terrible in battle, and gentle and help
ful out OF it, remembering the mothers
and the sisters, the wives and the lit
tie children at home They were free
men under arms, not forgetting their
ideals Of duty in the midst of tasks
Of violence. I am proud to have had
the privilege of being associated with
men and OF calling myself their
leader.
But I speak now Of what they
meant 10 IU6 IlSl WLOoS S'SSS
fought and to the people with whom
they mingled with such utter simple
ity, as friends who asked only to be
OF service. They were for all the
visible embodiment OF America. Wha'
they did made America and all that
she stood for living reality in the
thoughts not only Of the people OF
France, but also Of tens Of millions
CT plen and women throughout all the
toiling nations of a world standing
EVERYWHERE in peril Of its freedom and
IF the loss Of everything it held dear
deadly fear that it's bonds were
never to be loosed. its hopes forever
to be Knocked and disappointed.
And the coiapuision Of what they
stood for was upon us VINO represent
ed America at the peace table. l.
was our duty to see to it that every
! decision we took part in contributed,
so fay 70 we were able to influence
| II to quiet the fears and realize the