Semi-weekly herald., 1913-06-09
WOODROW WILSON.


Wilson a smasher of ideals, wrecker
of precedents, says the Denver News,
and then Editor Patterson continues
to point out that Wilson is already
breaking over as follows: When he
walked to the capitol and delivered
his message to congress in person, we
DOTTED our hats to him and cried,
well done!" 1t wasn't SO much the
way he did it, but because he kicked
the dust of generations out of the old
style of doing things and dared to
conquer in the very face of the con-
gressional throng. 1t certainly SEEM
ed as if, at last, we had president
who would, with unsparing hand, shat
ter those idols which had done duty
SO long in the field of musty prece-
dent.
Now, out of Washington, comes the
scory that Woodrow Wilson bids fair
to disappoint the hopes of those who
had locked to him for great achieve
ment. He was elected on platform
the intent and purpose of which is as
plain as simple language car make it.
Among ether things of vast import
ance, it favored single presidential
term. So far as the country knew
then, or knows now, Mr.. Wilson sub
scribed to that, as well as to every
other declaration of the Baltimore
convention. 1t was one of the arti-
cles Of faith of the national Democ-
racy cf which the president is the cho-
sen leader. And, as the leader, he
is expected to live up to the letter and
spirit cf each and every one of them.
But il now appears that the presi-
dent is disposed to treat the plank for
a single presidential term lightly, and
to regard it as of no force on his fu-
ture course as a possible candidate
for reelection. Lest there should be
any misconception of the clear ma
ture of the plank, we give it in full
as follows:
We favor single presidential term
and to that end urge the adoption
of an amendment to the constitution
making the president of the United
States ineligible for reelection, and
we pledge the candidate of this con-
vention to this principle"
Technically cannot subvert the
manifest expression of this declara-
ton. Mr. Wilson was pledged to its
requirement, as he was to every other
pledge of the platform. He cannot
dodge behind the subterfuge, flimsy
as it essuredly is, that the platform
was adopted before his nomination.
That is not very dignified course for
president to take, and it undoubt-
edjy does not add to the Wilson record
for square dealing.
AS a candidate of the convention,
pledged to the principle Of single
presidential term, it is not open to him
to claim that, because he was not
nominated an hour before or subse-
quent to the time the convention pass
ed the platform, he is not compelled
to respect its provisions. That sort
Of logic may fit the disposition of the
sinall bore politician, but it is hardly
commensurate with the reputation for
raoral observance that attaches to the
high standing of the presidential Of
fee. Nor does it help the popular
mind to the belief that pledge-break-
ers are entirely confined to the riff
laff of politics.
The country expects Mr.. Wilson 20
st..nd or fall by the platform pr'n-
ciples upon which he was elected 1t
will not agree, as it can not, consist ant
with sclf-respect, to the proposal in
timated from the Wilson camp, that
the president can seek second term
without distinct violation of the pledge
he gave to the people last year. Nei-
ther Woodrow Wilson nor any other
man prominent in public life can, with
honor, play ducks and brakes with so
vital and compelling thing as a
solemn pledge to the people.
DENVER SOJTARRI.E IN COJTRT