The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-02-18

In the light OF American history, the
term does him honor, for more than.
half the presidents and statesmen of
this marion have, at one time or an
other, been schoolmasters But let 1t
be here observed that as presiden. of
Princeton he dealt with practical and
business affairs In manner that
would do credit to the heads of our
greatest corporations.
When woodrow Wilson entered the
race for the gpvefnorship of New Jer-a
sey, the OLD guard of politicians de-
rided him as mere theortst Witt
could not possibly make headway
against the machine organization. Bsst
he conducted campaign, that was
truly amazing for its foresight and eff
fectiveness. His splendid earnestness
and his spacious comprehension OF
public needs and issues swept the
machines opposition before them like
trash before gale.s And the grizzled
bosses had their first lesson from this
-schoolnaster In politics"
His subsequent career as governor
Of New Jersey has been Justly called
one OF the most remarkable and In
spring chapters in the history OF
American government. It had evil
IDENTIFY never occurred to either the
Democratic or Republican politicians
of the old order that Woodrow VII
sons leadership meant anything def
mite or practical. They were astcund-
ed when they found him insisting that
the party carry into performance
every one Of its pre- election pledges.
They did their utmost by hook and
crook - block or confuse his plans.
But within the first year Of his adj
ninistration he had forged into the
statutes of the state practically all
the promises he had made. He found
New Jersey a veritba1e lair of lawless
leave 1t one Of the most justly and
cleaniy governed states in the union
Such is the record of this southern
bred Democrat who looms today
across the continents breadth as a
candidate for the presidential nomi-
nation. Among all the party's leaders,
there Is not one who towers so stall
From coast to coast, he is recognized
as a statesman pre-eminent in his
time. He ie as well known In the far
west as in the east or the south. The
country trusts him for his clear
mindedness, his trained Judgment and
ability. 1t admires him for his un-
f1incling courage and sincerity. It is
attracted by his magnetism as man
and inspired by his lofty conception
of public service.
Surely, then, the southern people
can do no better than to swing their
support in the national convention to.
this statesman who has sprung from
their soil and whose talent and pres
tige so eminent1y fit him for the par
TVS leadership.
If his southern origin, coupled with
his conspicuous ability were not suf-
f1cient to recommend Woodrow VIII
son to the suffrage OF this state and
section, the very fact that he has am
tagonized and crushed machine poll
tics and machine politicians In both
parties wherever he has confronted
them Should enlist the hearty support
| of every citizen who believes in free
and truly democratic government.
The very enemies he has made fur
nish the highest testimonial to the
| depth of his convictions and the thor
oughness of his work. They prove
that he means business when he de-
clares that the government belongs to
the people and should be conducted
for the pubIie's good.
Woodrow Wilson once said of the
Declaration of Independence:
1t is an eminently practical docu-
ment, meant for the use of practical
men; not a thesis for philosophers but
a whip for tyrants; not a theory of
government but programme of ac-
ton.
This is the keynote Of his own pur-
pose and mission in the politics of the
present day He comes not as a doc
trinaire but as thorough going
statesman, not as a radical who
would merely tear down, but as a pro-
gressive who would build and broaden
| the nations common welfare. He ire
| CARDS public office as a public trust,
as did that other great Democrat who
| was twice elected to the presidency
Grover Cleveland The people are de-
| lighted to find in him publicist who
has made his reputation not as an
engineer Of political machines, but as
a gifted student and a constructive
reformer.
With no interest to serve. therefore,
save that which we always feel II
good government, whether it be state
or national The Journal earnestly
] commends Governor Wilson to the
Democrats of Georgia and the south,
on~the ground that he is southern
man whose record and ability and
prestige make him Democracy's most
advisable candidate and who. if
] elected, will bring new honor and
I freedom to his party and his nation.