Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-06
f!Seuias;9G lye"ina Yestsfday asSds 1902
Three Years Ago Today.


the United States, by a decisive and EN-
phatic vote which clearly represented tho
popular and patriotic sentiment of the
entire country. formally declared wal
against Germany. This action was taken
in accordance with the trend OF events
in the Great War, then in progress. and in
response to an insistent demand from Q
large majority of our people that our
government take the one step necessary
10 rebukc the insolent and un!ustihable
aggressions by Germany against our
country and its interests, and TO put An
end to the horrible war she was waglng
against humanity and against the peace
of the world.
This notable action also was taken IN
pursuance OF an address to the Congress,
three davs before. by President Wilson.
in which he placed the determination of
the situation suuarely before the members
of that BODY. 1T is a distressing and
oppressive duty. gentlemen of the Con-
gress." said the President. (which have
performed in thus addressing you. There
arc. it may be, MANY months of fiery trial
ard sacrifice. ahead of us. 1t is n fearful
thing TO lead this great, peaceful people
into war. into the most terrible and dis
sstrous of all wars. civilization itself
seeming to be in the balance. But the
light is more precious than peace, and we
shall fight for the things which we have
always carried nearest our hearts, for
democracy, for the right Of those who
submit to authority to have a toice in
their own governments. for the rights and
liberties Of small nations, for a universal
dominion of right by such concert of
free peoples as shall bring peace and
safety to all nations. and make the world
itself at last free To such task We can
dedicate our lives aud our fortunes
everything that We are and everything
that we have, with the pride of those who
know that the day has come when America
is privileged to spend her blood and her
might for the principles that gave her
birth and happiness and the peace which
she has treasured. God helping her, she
can do no other.
To this noble and patriotic deliveranee
the entire country gave assent. Members
of Congress listened to it in patriotic
spirit. There was some dissent. but it was
impotcnt against the sense of Justice
which the Congress felt and acted upon,
Partisan opponents. even Senator Lodge
gave earnest Endorsement to President
Wilson appeal, and the Congress of the
United States formally adopted declara-
tion of war against the Imperial Govern
ment of Germany.
Much has happ during the three
years that have elapsed since our country
entered upon this great enterprise. Our
people rallied 10 the support of the ad-
with a patriotic fervor and
unanimity of spirit never before equalled.
Our young men responded eagerly 10 the
call for, battle. Our older men entered
enthusiastically upon the administrative
and did wondrous service to the govern
ment. The women of the country bravelv
and most acceptably performed their
part in the dread turmoil of war We
sent abroad ships and men and munitions
and supplies of war in such numbers and
such vast quantities that all the rest Of the |
world looked on in astonlshment, and the |
German mihtarists beheld it with dismay. /
They knew this great work, performed |
with such rapidity and perfection. spelled |
heir doom and it did. On the seas, on the I
bloody fields of France, American men |
md American arms turned the tide of |
oattle, slew the threatening and ravenous
German beast, and saved the world to |
and civilization
Never did any country in all history
make such glorious record in so short a
lime. Never did any nation since France
Inder the reign of Napoleon show itself
% be so invincible in war. We put an
md to the great conflict, and thus paved
he way to Worlds Peace.
But what have we done towards bring
ng about that Worlds Peace2 Sad to
ay, we have as yet done nothing. With
.reat labor and patience the Congress Of
'ersailles prepared Treaty Of Peace
nth the beaten foe, including therein
he Covenant OF a League Of Nations.
England. France, Italy and other Euro
'ean countries ratified this Treaty Of
'eace and enrolled their governments as
nembers of the League of Nations Ger
,any accepted the Treaty, Justly hard
aough its terms were upon that country
nd its people, and would willingly have
ntered the League of Nations had the
rivilege been extended. But the United
tstes of America, the one nation whose
ctiye participation alone can make the