The Benson signal., 1919-01-04

that in itself were a condemnation
something that men could think about,
but never get. Now we find the prac-
tical leading minds of the world de-
termined to get it.
mo such sudden and potent union
of purpose had ever been witnessed
in the world before. Do you wonder,
therefore, gentlemen, that in common
with those who represent you am
eager to get at the business and write
the sentences down? And that am
particularly happy that the ground is
cleared and the foundations laid-for
we have already accepted the same
body of principles? Those principles
are clearly and definitely enough
matter which should afford no fun
damental difficulty
Called Him to Cross the Sea.
"And back of us that imperative
yearning of the world to have all dis
turbing questions Quieted, to have all
threats against peace silenced, to
have just men everywhere come to-
gether for common object. The
peoples of the world want peace and
they want it now, not merely by con-
quest of arms, but agre ement of mind.
"It was this incomparably great OBJ
ject that brought me overseas. 1t has
never before been deemed excusable
for President of the United States
to leave the territory of the United
States, but know that have the sup
port of judgment of my colleagues in
the government of the United States
in saying that it was my paramount
duty to turn away even from the i'm
perative tasks at home to lend such
counsel and aid as could to this
great-may not say final-enterpris
of humanity"
Formally Welcomed to City.
The President and Mrs Wilson ar
rived at the Guildhall at 1890, where
the President received formal well
come to the city of London.
After the initial ceremonies the
President was given an address Of
welcome on parchment, in a gold cas-
ket Following his reply, the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Wilson went to the
mansion house as guests Of the mayor
and mayOress at luncheon.
The streets were crowded to see
the President pass on his way to and
from the Guildhall Troops lined the
way and kept the people in check.
Speech at Mansion House.
In his speech at the lord mayors
luncheon at the Mansion house, Pres
ident Wilson said in part:
"Mr. Lord Mayor, your royal high
ness, your grace, ladies and gentle
men: You have again made me feel,
sir, the very wonderful and generous
welcome of this great city, and you
have reminded me Of what has per-
haps become one of the habits of my
life
"You have said that have broken
all precedents In coming across the
ocean to join in the counsels OF the
peace conference, but I think those
who have been associated with me In
Washington will testify that that Is
nothing surprising. l said to the
members Of the press in Washington
one evening that one Of the things
that had interested me most since |
lived in Washington was that every
time l did anything perfectly natural
it was said to be unprecedented.
Breaking Precedents Is Wise.
"It was perfectly natural to break
this precedent, natural because the
demand for intimate conference took
precedence over every other duty.
And, after all, the breaking of prece-
dents, though this may sound strange
doctrine in England, is the most sensi-
BILE thing to do. The harness of pre-
cedent is sometimes very sad and
harassing trammel ="
Spirits Free from Suffering.
81 thank you sincerely for this well
come, sir, and am very happy to join
in a love feast which is all the more
enjoyable because there is behind 1t
a background of tragical Suffering.
"Our spirits are released from the
darkness of the clouds that at one
time seemed to have settled upon the
world in way that could not be dis
persed-the sufferings of your own
people, the suffering Of the people OF
France, and the infinite suffering of
the people of Belgium.
"The whisper of grief that has been
blown all through the world is now
silent and the sun of hope seems to
spread it's rays and to change the
earth with a new prospect of happir
ness. So our joy is all the more ele.
waited because we know that our
spirits are now lifted out of that
vo1lox