The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-10-28
WILSON READS
AN ADDRESS To
LEAGUE FRIENDS

Washington. Oct. %T-presidcnt VIII
son. In his first speech since ne was
taken Ill mora than a year ago. called
on his fellow Countrymen' today. 10
endorse the League OF Nations and sum
moncd them to the concert OF peace
and the completion Of the great great IN moral al
said the world war represented.
Speaking from his wheel chain TO a
delegation OF pro-leaguc Republicans
and Independents who called at the
White House. the President declared
that the great moral influence" of tho
United States would he absolutely
thrown away" If the nation did not
complete the task which our soldiers
and sailors go seriously undertook to
execute"
The American people. Mr.. Wilson said
should not be deceived into supporting
that lmperaiistic scheme ended with
the defeat OF Germany. He declared
there were other nations which were
likely, TO be powerfully moved or were
already moved by commercial Jealousy
by the desire TO dominate and TO have
their own way in politics and In enter
prise" and that 1t was necessary 10
apprise them that the world would be
united against them as II was against
Germany If they attempted any similar
thing"
The President read his address from
a manuscript. His visitors declared In
a formal statement after leaving IN"
W niue Rouse mat II "dS w 'N'hN 'S
was "voicing the profoundcst emotions
OF his heart" and that more than once
his voice choked." especially when he
referred TO the soldier boys and the
mothers of those who had fallen in
battle
The whole occasion was in eNprcssi-
bly, solemn and tender" said the state
ment. adding that the deputatton felt
that 1t was nothing, less than tragic
that the President had been brought
20 q nhNSiCal
as the result of his indefatigable laDors
for his country and for humanity"
They felt" concluded the statement,
that this might be the Presidents I'm
al appeal to the conscience OF his coun-
trymen In the supreme moral decision
that they are called upon TO make"
Rsoeivsd in study
Mr. Wilson received his visitors, mr.
teen In all. including two women. In
small room off his study. near the en-
trance 10 the White House. He re-
manned In his wheel chair throughout
the reception. which lasted forty min
utes. Afterwards. Rear-AdmiraI Gray
son, his physician, indicated that he had
shown no physical Ill effects. saying no
had come through I'm exceptionally me
form"
After the delegation was greeted by
the President, DR.. Hamilton Holt. OF
New York, its spokesman, delivered il
brief address. declaring. that the League
OF Nations transcribed party politics
and was the greatest moral issue mat
has confronted the American people in
this generation" He added that the
delegation represented "a vast number
OF other Republicans throughout the
United States who are ready to put
patriotism above party In the present
critical hour TO the end that our boys
whose blood hallows the fields of France
will not have died in vain"
In his reply the President appealed
TO the editors and publishers of the
country 10 publish the full text OF the
covenant Of the League OF Nations so
that the people might better INFORM
themselves Of the issue involved.
Article Ten
Discussing Article Ten the President
took occasion TO say that the called
Amcricsnism which we hear SO much
prating about now is spurious and In
vented for party purposes only: the
true, the real Amertcanism. ne ue-
clared. is 10 see justice done ana hu-
msnity protected and Vindlcate9' sta,-
ing that this was the purpose OF Article
Ten.
Describing Article Ten as the spec
ifc redempt}or OF the pledge which the
free governments Of the world gave 70
their people when they entered the
war" the President declared we hay"
now to choose whether We Will make
good or quit"
I'VE have joined ISSUE he continued;
and the issue Is between the spirit and
nurpose Of the United States and the
spirit and purpose of imperialism
This choice is the supreme choice OF
the present campaign. ! suggest thst me
ever ofrice be tested by this question;
Shall we or shall We not redeem the
great moral obligations of the United
States"