The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-04
WILSON CITIZEN OF ROME
Ceremony Takes Place in Historic
Capitol of Nation.

Rome, Jan. A. delayed -Presiden
Wilson became a citizen of Rome to-
night. The ceremony took place in
the historic capitol, designed by Mich
ael Angelo and redolent with sugges-
tons of ancient and medieval Rome.
Assisting in the services were King
Victor Emmanuel and Queen Helena,
members of the Italian cabinet, MEM
bers of the diplomatic corps, includ-
ing Ambassador and Mrs Thomas
Nelson Page and municipal and mill
tary authorities.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson accompanied
by the king and queen, drove to the
capitol after the dinner at the Quiri-
nal. At the conclusion of the cere-
mony in which he became a citizen
of Rome, the president was asked to
speak. .sss-t.
Mr.. Wilson spoke as follows: "You
have done Ame very great honor.
Perhaps you can imagine what feel
ing it is for a citizen of one of the
newest of nations to be made az citi-
zen of this ancient city. 1t is dis
tinction which am sure you are con-
ferring upon me as representative
| of the great people for whom L speak
One who has been a student of his
tory cannot accept an honor of the
sort without having his memory run
back to the extraordinary series of
events which have conferred in this
place.
'But I have thought today, I have
been impressed by the contrast be-
tween the temporary and permanent
things. Many political changes have
conferred about Rome, from the time
when from 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 re-
manned permanent has been the spirit
of Rome and the Italian people. That
fn
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
era1 enterprise of offering the world
its own government. Can there be
finer or more impressive illustra,
ton of the indestruetible human spirit
and of the unconquerable spirit of lib
erty?
A Colossal Blunder.
EST have been rejecting in these re-
cent days about colossal blunder
which has been made-the blunder
of force by Central Empires. If Ger
many had waited a single generation
she would have had commercial en-
pire of the world She was not will
ing to conquer by skill, by enterprise,
by commercial success. She must
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 lis the sort of
service which can be rendered in
trade, in intercourse. in friendship and
that there is no conquering power
which can suppress the freedom of the
! human spirit.
81 have rejofced personally in the
partnership of the Italian and Arneri-
can people because it is a new part
nership in an old enterprise, an enter
prise predestined to succeed wherever
it is undertaken-the enterprise which
has always borne that handsome name
which we call liberty Men have
pursued it sometimes like a mirage.
that seemed to eIude them. that
seemed to run before them as they
advanced, but never have they
| tagged In their purpose to achieve it
| supposing that in this age of ours,
| they are nearer to it than they ever
were before.
/ The Light Shines.
| "The light that shone upon the
summit now seems to shine almost at
| our feet and if we lose it. it will only
be ~because-we have lost faith A
breath of hope and of cheer has come
into the hearts and minds of men. ]
would not have felt at libery to come
away from America if 1 had not felt
that the time had arrived when, for
getting local interests and local ties
and local purposes men should unite
/ in this great enterprise that vii ever
! tie free men together as body OF
brethren and a body of free spirits
| 81 am honored. sir, TO be taken
into this ancient comradeship of the
citizenship of Rome"