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Show 82 83 each other for a chance to see and hear him, He saw the dis- appointed expression on her face. What chance had she to reach iiiatw him through that struggling crowd! Then without a word to any one, Roosevelt left the platform and pushed his way through the crowd to the little girl, and took her hand in both his own and gave her a warmdiearted greeting. I want this afternoon to emulate his example and let the welcome of this committee extend to all who have gathered here. \Yelcome to the diplomats and statesmen, to the foreign envoys and ambassadors. You greatly honor the cause as well as ourselves by your presence. Lend always the weight of your influence to this new and better way of settling disputes. lut our welcome reaches to the very last row of seats: it extends to every plain man and woman come here to this Congress. The burdens of war are borne mostly by the common people, and in the end the verdict of war or peace must rest with the rank and file of the people. No one is left out of our welcome this afternoon. There was a minister down in Iowa who began by preaching a five-minute sermon to the children before his regular sermon, and the people liked them so well that they asked him if he wouldn't preach them five~minute sermons, too. I take a hint from the parson out in Iowa and close my address of welcome with a hearty Godspeed to you all. At the conclusion of Mr. Bartlett's address, the following occurred: MR. MELENDY: I have many and very interesting letters, some of which I earnest sympathy with the object of the assembling of so many distinguished men in the interest of world peace. That progress has been made in the matter of peace everywhere by international action and by the moral pressure of the peoples of the earth, anyone who has examined the record must admit. It is true that armaments go on increasing in cost, but it is also true that the burdens presented by this competition in armament are grow- ing heavier and heavier, and the problems for solution consistent with their increase become more and more difficult. The possi- bilities of war now arising come chiefly from irresponsibilities of government, and in those countries where stability of internal control is lacking. The United States has contributed much to the cause of peace by assisting countries weak in respect to their internal government so as to strengthen in them the cause of law and order. This relationship of guardian and ward as between nations and countries, in my judgment, helps along the cause of international peace and indicates progress in civilization. The policy of the United States in avoiding war under all cir- cumstances except those plainly inconsistent with honor or its highest welfare has been made so clear to the world as hardly to need statement at my hands. I can only say that so far as my legitimate influence extends while at the head of this govern- ment, it will always be exerted to the full in favor of peace, not only as between this country and other countries, but as between \VILLIAM l'I. Tam: our sister nations. Letter from South American Association of Universal Peace may take occasion to read to you during the congress. but just now I shall read one letter. which I have the honor to present. namely. the message of greeting from the President of the United States. (Applause) Letter from the President of the United States THE VVHITE House, WASHINGTON, April 28, 1909. My DEAR SIR: I greatly regret that I am unable to attend the coming National I‘eace Congress at Chicago and there to express my BUIZNOS AIRICS, March 30. iooo. I have had the satisfaction of receivingr your letter, in which you were kind enough to invite me to the Second Congress which is to be held in Chicago on the 26th to the 28th of April next. I am very much impressed by the honor which you are bestowing upon me by this invitation, which will strengthen our sympathies with the center of opinion over there. I consider the resolutions which will be adopted at this coming congress. composed of persons who are inspired by the fruitful results of peace, of the highest importance for the ends which we pursue. The association which I have the honor to |