The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-05
PRESIDENT WILSON.

We enter today upon a new chapter in national history.
in whose hands the people have placed the administration
of the affairs of the nation comes to the high office with
lofty ideals and with clean purpose. Nobody can read
out being convinced Of the sincerity of the man who ut
tered it. President Wilson assumes office under condi-
tions which are new for an executive. He is not a grad
uate of any course of public office in the national govern
ment. Except for his term as governor of New Jersey,
he is without practical experience in the field OF politics.
But this is to his advantage in that he is not hampered by
any previously formed alliances or associations. This ad-
vantage, it seems to us, offsets whatever of disadvantage
there may be in the lack of practical experience.
1t is not necessary to analyze the inaugural address. 1t
is so clear and so concise that it may be read by the casual
reader of the news, read in its entirety-for it is brief. 1t
sets forth the high purpose of the new president. 1t does
not deal with details, that would be impossible in the brief
we anticipate, by the old-school politicians for its lack of
what they will term practical suggestion. But in his term
as governor, Mr.. Wilson showed that he could find a way
to do things when he had made up his mind to do them.
There is no note Of exultation in the Wilson address.
President Wilson surely appreciates the gravity Of the sit
uation too thoroughly to burn red fire at this stage OF the
game. He must realize that he has great obstacles to
overcome, even within the ranks of his own party. The
most difficult opposition which he will have to meet and
put aside is that which will be offered by democrats. Al
ready the line of %old-party division is being eliminated; al
ready the new formation is beginning to appear. 1t the
Wilson policies are to be carried out, it must be by the CO.
operation of all progressive forces, no matter what has
been in the past their party designation.
The experience of Governor Stewart in Helena forecasts,
to some extent, the trouble which President Wilson has
before him. That there will be a reactionary alliance in
Washington, whose purpose is to defeat the reforms which
the new president proposes may be accepted as certain.
That prominent democrats will form a part of that alliance
cannot, in the light of past records, be doubted. If Wilson
and his progressive democrats win, they will yet remain a
part of an organization which is predatory and reactionary
in the great cities and in some states, as much so as was
ever the ousted republican organization.
Meanwhile, there is a trend of affairs in inter party rea-
tons, all over the country, which contains a hope of success
for the Wilson plans. In more states than Montana, there
is a rapprochement between progressives and the progress
sive democrats which is quietly forming a force which will
give strength to reforms such as are suggested in the in
augural address of yesterday. We see this in Illinois; we
have seen its possibilities in Montana; we are certain that
we shall see it in Washington. And in it lies the only
hope for the enactment of such laws as will bring social
and industrial justice to this country.