Other declarations of the
President that will be treasured as long as democracy survives, are
those enunciating the fourteen points upon which America would make
peace, and two later declarations as to America's purposes.
His address of April 2d was delivered before the most distinguished
assemblage ever gathered within the hall of the House of
Representatives. The Supreme Court of the United States, headed by the
Chief Justice, every member of the embassies then resident in
Washington, the entire membership of the House and Senate, and a host of
the most distinguished men and women that could crowd themselves into
the great hall, listened to what was virtually America's Declaration of
War.
The air was still and tragic suspense was upon every face as the
President began his address. At first he was pale as the marble rostrum
against which he leaned. As he read from small sheets typewritten with
his own hand, his voice grew firmer and the flush of indignation and of
resolution overspread his countenance. He said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONGRESS:
I have called the Congress into extraordinary session because there are
serious, very serious, choices of policy to be made, and made
immediately, which it was neither right nor constitutionally permissible
that I should assume the responsibility of making.
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