The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-02-02
BY LAWRENCE q. sTRINGER.

from having read many of his produc-
tions and having admired the great
comprehensive grasp Of economic sit
uations which prevades all of his pol
itical utterances and writings.
Still while predisposed in his IA
vor, until I had personally met and
conversed with him, l was not con-
vinced Of his availability as a can
didate for President.
Since meeting Gov. Wilson, how
ever, all doubt in that regard, in my
own mind, has been removed. Gov.
Wilson is presidential timber Of the
exact kind and quality required at the
present time. To begin with he is an
intellectual giant, with broad COM
prehensive grasp of every public sit
uation. Throughout the east, he is
universally regarded as the brainiest
American living today. Even In priv.
ate conversation, his intellectually
scintillates in every sentence he ut
tiers. He has logical and analytical
mind. His language is simple, easily
understood, yet definite, incisive and
convincing He has been a student of
political economy since his boyhood,
has written varied books upon the
highest authority upon theories of
government in the country today.
While our presidents have generally
been men Of patriotic impulses, hon.
est and conscientious, still few of
them have been great Intellectually.
Thomas Jefferson was an exception to
this rule. Woodrow Wilson, if cleo
ted president, by reason Of his in
stincts, characteristics, training, fear
lessness, patriotism, faith in the peo-
pie and extraordinary intellectually
would indeed be a second Thomas
Jefferson.
Ideal CHIEF Executive of State.
AS governor Of New Jersey, he has
given that state practical business
administration, so conceded by all.
He has shown himself to be peculiar
ly fitted for the executive office along
the most practical lines. In meeting
him, you are impressed with this fact
The schoolmaster is not in the least
in evidence. He is plain, matter of
fact, and his conversation is not Pc
dantic or pedagogic, but direct, force
ful and earnest.
Above all he is man Of the people.
He was born with no silver spoon in
his mouth. He is not man of means
or wealth. He is easily approachable.
No dignity hedges him about. He re-
sides in very modest home at Prince
ton. On knocking at his door, no SER
want, liveried or otherwise, met us at
the portals. 1t was the governor HIM
self who opened the door for us, well
coined us in, took our hats and wraps
and laid them aside, ushered us into
his library. made us feel at home and
talked to US neighbors who had
dropped in for a casual call. There
are no frills nor fure-belows about
him. He is essentially Jeffersonian.
AS governor of New Jersey, he has
fought for the plain people and they
love him. In doing so, he has anita
gonized the interests. He knows 1t,
but doesn't care. He has faith in the
people and takes them into his con-
fidence.
Sense of Duty Supreme.
also found him to be man of pos
tive convictions with the courage of
the same. He is fearless in his ex-
pressions of opinions. If they do not
agree with your opinion, he is sorry,
but he does not trim his views to con-
form with yours. His sense of duty
is supreme. He would not change his
views, unless convinced that he was
wrong, even though it made him pre-
sident He is not a trimmer. He is
not a politician, but is a statesman, in
all that word implies: He abhors
machine politics and machine meth
DDS. He does nothing behind closed
doors. Everything with him is in
the open and he has no political or
public secrets. What he says to you,
he is willing the world should know.
He Is the soul of integrity and honor
and he stands today as the one great
champion of progressive ideas Of gov
err nent in state and nation. If cleo
ted president, no machine leaders,
bosses or fractions, will control or in
fuence him. His sense Of duty alone
will actuate him.
Altogether / was exceedingly well
Impressed with Gov. Wilson as a man,
as a statesman, as an executive and
as a. possible, If not a probable, fu-
ture president He seems to combine
In one personality, great intellectual
ity. simplicity, modesty, fearlessness
in the discharge of duty, sterling
character, honesty Of motive, effective
ness, executive ability, energy, enth-.-
81 ISM, rugged honesty. practically
and Jeffersonian democracy. And
what more what more would anyone
want?