I am happy to say that several of the great Governments of the world have given this Government their generous moral support in urging upon the provisional authorities at the City of Mexico the acceptance of our proffered good offices in the spirit in which they were made.  We have not acted in this matter under the ordinary principles of international obligation.  All the world expects us in such circumstances to act as Mexico’s nearest friend and intimate adviser.  This is our immemorial relation towards her.  There is nowhere any serious question that we have the moral right in the case or that we are acting in the interest of a fair settlement and of good government, not for the promotion of some selfish interest of our own.  If further motive were necessary than our own good will towards a sister Republic and our own deep concern to see peace and order prevail in Central America, this consent of mankind to what we are attempting, this attitude of the great nations of the world towards what we may attempt in dealing with this distressed people at our doors, should make us feel the more solemnly bound to go to the utmost length of patience and forbearance in this painful and anxious business.  The steady pressure of moral force will before many days break the barriers of pride and prejudice down, and we shall triumph as Mexico’s friends sooner than we could triumph as her enemies—­and how much more handsomely, with how much higher and finer satisfactions of conscience and of honor!

[D] General Victoriano Huerta had, on Feb. 18, deposed President Madero, and had been, on the 20th, elected President by the Mexican Congress.  Three days later Madero was assassinated while in the custody of the new government.  An army calling themselves Constitutionalists under General Villa, defeated the Mexican Federal forces in May.  On August 20, Huerta declined the proposal of the United States government that he should cease to be a candidate for the Presidency.

UNDERSTANDING AMERICA

[Delivered at Philadelphia, Pa., on the occasion of the rededication of Congress Hall, Oct. 25, 1913.  The United States Congress met in this hall till 1800.  Here Washington was inaugurated the second time, and here he made his farewell address to the American people.  Here John Adams took the oath of office when he succeeded Washington.  The hall, after being long disused, was now restored and reopened.  Before Mr. Wilson spoke, Mr. Frank Miles Day, representing the committee of architects, had referred to the “delightful silence, order, gravity, and personal dignity of manner” observed by the Senators of the first Congress, and had said, “They all appeared every morning full powdered, and dressed, as age or fancy might suggest, in the richest material.”]

YOUR HONOR, MR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN: