The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-04-27
b. Dr.. FRANCIS p. VENABLE,
President Of the University Of Norti
Carolina.

~ N'iS OF NOFkn
Carolina.
Some of the politicians have contemp-
tuously dismissed Woodrow Wilson's
Claims as a statesman and candidate
for the highest office in the gift of his
party by speaking of him as "only
schOolteacher''
There are several hundred thousands
OF teachers i'll the country, and many of
Us are proud of the name. We resent
the snee-ing use Of it with the implica-
ton that because we are teachers we
are unfit for other service. | do not
feel called upon to debate this point
nor think that 1t is at all necessary
The fling is an altogether unworthy one
and shows a regrettable ignorance Of
the service rendered by teachers in the
building of the nation and the part
they have psayed as leaders.
Can we forget the part played by
John WitherspoOn, another president
of Princeton. in securing the independ-
ence Of our country and In safely
launching the young republic, and that
college president, James A Garfield,
was later on president of this republic
when it had become the mightiest ma
ton on earth, and that Robert E. Lee
thought it no lowering of his dignity
nor lesser service to end his life as
college president?
Has Not Lost Hope.
Now, / am not writing as a teacher
or college president, but as a citizen,
one who has for years thought over the
problems which confront us In this
great democratic experiment among the
nations; one who has been perplexed
and fearful of disaster, seeing slight
hope i'll the various expedients which
the years have brought forth and find
ing small comfort In the leaders pro-
duced, yet not losing hope. 1t has been
the passion of my life to labor for the
uplift of my people.
In Woodrow Wilson / find man
who has analyzed the situation as only
q master mind could do. He has pierc-
ed to the very center Of things as with
a surgeons knife and laid bare the
source of the trouble. l know of no
other man who has done this or shown
the capacity to do It. l know that this
is the first and absolutely essential
step IN the eradication Of disease.
Furthermore, he is resourceful
| man and not without a remedy. Ii
this is a government by the people
then in some way the people must be
got TO exercise this right of ruling.
Knowing that many are ignorant,
many weak, many vicious, l realize
that this does not mean the Immediate
ushering in Of the millennium, but
there Is no other hope for Democracy.
l know Governor Wilson to be an
honest and fearless man, who, seeing
the right, will drive straightly to it
without fear or swerving; that he Is a
foe to all wrong and untruth and In
justice and under no bond to any man
! nor group of men.
l know him as a strong man, who
has won decisive victories for the right,
relying on himself. the justice of his
cause and direct appeal to the people.
| know him as one whose whole life
has been searched by those who would
do him harm and no fault found that
would stamp him as untrue or un-
worthy.
Reasons For Opposition.
know him as one bitterly opposed
by the seekers for office, the nonpro-
gressives. the privileged interests.
| These are opposed to him because they
believe him to be the man / have de-
scribed and hold him dangerous where
see In him the hope Of the coming Of
a better day. OF course do not class
with them others who for different
rea sons find they cannot favor him.
That it is said that he cannot carry
this state or that state because Of the
! overwhelming opposition OF the privi-
legged interests is no reason for turning
from him. We dare not bow to such
dietation The people must arise in
their might and enforce their will or
there Is no hope anywhere OF relief.
These are the reasons why | favor
Woodrow Wilson for president of the