Woodrow Wilson

These are the considerations which have led me to withhold my signature from this repeal.

They constitute a burden upon us which is the more unbearable because we know that it is wilfully imposed by those who have the power.

The prices the people of this country are paying for everything that it is necessary for them to use in order to live are not justified by a shortage in supply, either present or prospective.

By way of immediate relief, surplus stocks of both food and clothing in the hands of the Government will be sold.

Opinion and concerted action on the part of purchasers can probably do the rest.

Where there is no peace of mind there can be no energy in endeavor.

Our national life has no doubt been less radically disturbed and disarranged than the national life of other peoples.

We are dealing, gentlemen of the Congress, I need hardly say, with, very critical and very difficult matters.

Public action will no doubt cause many who have perhaps unwittingly adopted illegal methods to abandon them.

I have found that there exist in Mexico such conditions of domestic violence promoted by the use of arms or munitions of war procured from the United States as contemplated by the said Joint Resolution and Act of Congress;

The overwhelming testimony of its value which has come to me convinces me that I should not be justified in acquiescing in its repeal.

That act was intended to place the chief business activities of the country as nearly as might be within the limits of daylight throughout the year.

I take the liberty of returning H.R. 3157, 'An act making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920,' without my signature.

I do hereby enjoin upon all officers of the United States, charged with the execution of the laws thereof, the utmost diligence in preventing violations of the said Joint Resolution and Act of Congress

I think that I am justified in saying that it would constitute something more than an inconvenience.

I direct and authorize the officers and enlisted men of the Army of the United States to observe like diligence in preventing such violations and in causing offenders to be turned over to the appropriate civil authorities for trial and…

I believe that the repeal of the act referred to would be of very great inconvenience to the country.

I do hereby admonish all citizens of the United States and every person to abstain from every violation of the provisions of the Joint Resolution and Act of Congress above set forth.

I find myself obliged to return H.R. 6176, 'An Act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, and for other purposes', without my signature.

I therefore return the Bill with the hope that the Congress will reconsider this section of the law.

I am convinced that in this matter I speak the sentiments and the hopes of those who have most carefully studied the needs of the returning soldiers.

It is a matter of very grave concern.

This is a matter of the gravest consequence.

We cannot turn back. We can only go forward, with lifted eyes and freshened spirit, to follow the vision.

The stage is set, the destiny disclosed.