New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-01-04
Says Time Was Ripe to Forget
Local Ties in Worlds Interest
GIVEN FREEDOM OF ROME


Rome, Jan. 3.--Prcsident Wilson
became Il citizen of Rome tonight
The ceremony took place in the his
tOric capitol designed by Michael An
gelo. Assisting in the services were
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
Elena, members of the Italian cabi-
not, mem bers Of the diplomatic corps,
including Amba ssador and Mrs.
Thomas Nelson PAGE, and municipal
and military authorities.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson, accom- panied
by the king and queen, drove to the
capitol after the dinner at the Quir-
inal. Following the ceremo onN, Mr.
Wilson said
Wilson Appreciates Honor.
You have done me a very great
honor. Perhaps YOU can imagine
what a feeling it is for a citizen of
one of the newest of the great nations
10 be made a citizen of this ancient
city. 1t is a distinction which | am
sure YOU are comforting upon me as
a representative Of tho great people
for whom | speak. one who has been
a student of history cannot accept an
honor OF the sort wit hout having his
memory run back to the extra rdina ry
series of events which have centered
in this place
Italian Spirit TndOmitablc.
'But as l have thought today, I
have been impressed by the contrast
between the temporary and perma-
nent things. Many political changes
have centered about Rome, from the
time when from a little city she grew
to be mistress of a great empire
Change after change has swept away
many things, altering the very form
OF her affairs, but the thing that has
remained permanent has been the
spirit Of Rome and the Italian people
That spirit seems TO have caught with
each age the characteristic purpose Of
the age.
This imperial people now gladly
represents the freedom Of nations
This people which at one time seemed
to conceive the purpose Of governing
the world now takes part in the lib
eral enterprise Of offering the world
its own government. Can there be
finer or more impressive illustration
Of the tndestructible human spirit and
of the unconquerahle spirit Of liberty?
Refers to Germanys BIundcr.
Il have been rejecting in these re-
cent days about a colossal blunder
which has been made--the blunder Of
force by the Central Empires. If Ger
many had waited single generation
she would have had a commercial en-
pire Of the world. She was not will
ing to conquer by skill, by enterprise
by commercial success. She must
needs attempt to conquer the world
by arms and the world will always
acclaim the fact that it is impossible
to conquer by arms; that the only
thing that conQuers it is the sort Of
service which can he rendered in
trade, in intercourse, in friendship,
and that there is no conquering power
which can suppress the freedom Of the
human spirit
Liberty Nearer Than Ever.
Il have rejoiced personally in the
partnership Of the Italian and Amer
lean people, because it is a new part
nership in an old enterprise, an enter
prise predestined to succeed wherever
1t is undertaken--the enterprise which
has always borne that handsome name
which we call liberty Men have
pursued it sometimes like mira GO
that seemed to elude them. that
advanced. but never have they tagged
in their purpose to achieve it, and T
believe | am not deceived in suppos-
ing that in this age Of ours thew are
nearer to ii than they ever were be
fore The light that Shone upon the
summit now seems TO shine almost at
our feet, and if we lose it, it will be
only because we have lost faith. A
breath of hope and of confidence has
come into the hearts and minds Of
men.
Time for United Purpose.
Il would not have felt at liberty to
come away from America il I had not
felt that the time had arrived when
forgetting local interests and local
ties and local purposes, men should
unite in this great enterprise that Will
ever tie free men together as a BODY
of brethren and q body Of free spirits
81 am honored, sir to be taken into
this ancient comradeship Of the citi-
zenship Of Rome"