Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-22
THE PITFALLS AHEAD
Editor of the Courier journal Discusses
the Situation.


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Col. Henry watterson, in an article
on 1.-The New Dispensation," considers
the prospects and the difficulties OF
President Wilson's administrations as
follows:
Now that the election is over and the
battle won, and that the shouting has
had time to subside into a sigh Of sat
isfaction and relief, let the minds eye
of thoughtful Democrats glancing from
heaven to earth, and from earth to
heaven, call attention of the less
thoughtful to some Of the giants and
dragons which will presently rise
across the party's line Of march to di-
vide its counsels and obstruct its prog
ress.
They may seem just now to unre-
necting and optimistic enthusiasm but
airy nothings, mere Pigments of over
wrought or of prejudiced imagination.
Yet they are real, and it will not re-
quire the poets pen to give to each MS
form and pressure, even to distinguish
each by a tag bearing a local habita-
ton and name.
The Democratic party out Of the two
terms Of Grover Cleveland got nothing
except agreeable interludes from the
monctony of Republican partyism.
Woodrow Wilson is abler and far more
highly equipped-much better qualified
TO make a really great Democratic
president than was Grover Cleveland.
But the obstacles which Cleveland
had to meet and overcome were foot
hills by comparison with the mountains
already arising across the highway that
stretches out before Wilson.
Within Mr.. Clevelands easy reach, II
he had known how to profit by them,
were men of the first order OF intellect;
men trained to the responsibilities OF
government; men used to the affirma-
tions Of public policies; men who had
sat in the high places Of legislation
and administration.
Mr.. Wilson will have to rely for the
most part upon discoveries and crea-
tions Of his own; political amateurs
nov to official life; novitiates to prac-
tioai and large affairs. Barring a few
members Of the house, few senators
having chiefly negative experience, he
will at once encounter in the lower
branch Of congress a top heavy major
fly with possibly divided leadership,
and, in the upper, If support at ALL
yet too close for comfort.
Public opinion Is not here crystalized.
It is in a fluid state. He who saddles
and brides and successfully rides the
monster without head called Democ-
racy must be possessed Of the gifts OF
ths nation makers Of old and in addi-
tioa be attended by the good fortune
which genius sometimes attracts and
sometimes compels.
The objections which were generally
offered to Woodrow Wilson as the
nominee, that he was rather g. school
master than a statesman, II not tyran-
nous and intolerant, yet tactless, in
capable OF making common cause and
working to harness and lacking high
sense Of personal obligation, assuming
them founded in fact, may or may not
show themselves to be weaknesses In
the elected president.
Upon the threshold he will have
rough work to do. It is safe to say the
onrush Of office hunters will surpass
anything ever known before. gentle,
kindly, grateful man would find him.
self submerged beneath the cross cur
rents Of sentiment and duty. 1t will re-
auire the most obdurate of masters,
used to the disciplinary and ungrac-
cious, to resist the appeals, some OF
them real, but most Of them spurious,
which will echo through the living
rooms Of the White House, which will
assail him during all his waking hours
and pursue him in his sleep, and
dreams, morning, noon and night, new
er escape from the mean and sordtd
and brazen in the rank ignomihy OF
self seeking.
J'e who does not stand like statue
of wrought iron with mo" constant
upon his lips, who does not bare his
bosom to the storm, knowing In ad-
vance what of obloquy and abuse be-
tide, might easily break his heart be-
fore the arrival of a congress bound
stiM further to test his manhood and
try his soul.
Leadership implies self-confidence,
dominancy and will power. Mr.. Cleve-
land had plenty Of these. But ne lack
ed the fuliness Of knowledge which
comes from lifelong intellectual habi-
tudes and the definite purpose which
takes it's cue from special study and
original research.
He got his political economy by alb
sorption and at second hand. He pos
sessed strong natural gifts; within the
reach of his mental vision no man saw
clearer; within his competency no man
governed wiser or truer. He was obsti-
nate, however, rather than firm; not at
all resourceful in dealing with men,
and temperamentally tactless, likely to
grow impatient under stress Of circum-
stances. Thus he wrecked MS party,
wrecked it after it had reached what
seemed a safe harbor and left 1t very
hulk upon the wide, wide sea.
Woodrow Wilson comes to the head
of affairs full grown man. He is ma
ture in all his powers. For good or i'll
his character is ripened and all his
own. Sprung from a race of scholars
and thinkers he has from his cradle
played with books, devoured them'
written them; politician, astute, acute
and up to date; a popular speaker OF
the modern type, at once effective and
attractive. The opportunity before him
is resplendent, the pitfalls many and
deep.
What he will do with congress re-
mains to be seen. What congress will
do to him remains to be seen. Democ-
racy needs a Jefferson to initiate, a
Jackson to execute. How many of the
swan songs of the campaign can be
translated into statute law? What ri
h. al OF