Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

WWP15596

1919 January 6

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

English

The Municipalite, Turin, Italy, Mr. Mayor: Both on the streets of this interesting city and here you have made me feel at home. I feel almost as if it were the greeting of a people of whom I was indeed a fellow citizen. I am very much honored that this great city, playing so important a rôle in the life and in the industrial endeavor of Italy, should have conferred this high distinction upon me, and I take the liberty of interpreting your action, sir, not merely as a personal compliment to myself, to whom you ascribe virtues and powers which I feel I do not possess, but as a tribute to the people whom I represent.

The people of the United States were reluctant to take part in the war, not because they doubted the justice of the cause, but because it was the tradition of the American Republic to play no part in the politics of other continents, but as the struggle grew from stage to stage they were more and more moved by the conviction that it was not a European struggle; that it was a struggle for the freedom of world and the liberation of humanity, and with that conviction it was impossible that they should withhold their hand. Their hearts had been with you from the first, and then when the time of their conviction came they threw every resource of men and money and enthusiasm into the struggle. It has been a very happy circumstance that America should be thus associated with Italy. Our ties had been many and intimate before the war, and now they constitute a pledge of friendship and of permanent association of purpose which must delight both people.

May I not, therefore, again thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me, and take the privilege of greeting you affectionately as my fellow citizens? On The balcony Of The Municipalite. My friends of Turin, I now have the privilege of addressing you as my fellow citizens. It is impossible at this distance that my voice should reach all of you, but I want you to know that I bring the greetings, and affectionate greetings of the people of the United States to the people of Italy and the people of the great city of Turin. My sentiment, coming from the heart, is the sentiment of the American people. Viva, l’Italia!