Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-15

III ATenJtu, I0e Oi0 timers WHO reSIneQ
themselves the only practical poiiu-
clans. But every day for year was
a further amazement TO them. They
found IN this strange newcomer man
who didn't believe that good cause
was rendered any less likely TO sue
coed by the employment in its behalf
Of the carnal weapons OF practical pol
itics, & man who said. Even re-
former need not he a fool"
A new era was ushered in when this /
quiet gentleman who had just emerged .
from the delectable groves OF Prince /
tons academy. his garments odorous !
with the vaporS Of Parnassus. his lips /
wet with the waters of Helicon-this /
long haired bookworm OF professor /
who had just laid his spectecles on his 4
dictionary, came down 10 the Trenton I
statehouse and licked the gang to a
frazzle.'
or his manner of public speech some
thing more ought to be told. With the
advent OF Woodrow Wilson on the po-
litical stage came a new type Of man
and new type OF orntory. Mr. Will
son has long been known as an exqui-
site master Of English prose. He
speaks as he writes-with a trained
and skillful handling OF the resources
OF the language, a sureness. an accu-
racy, power and a delicacy surpass-
ing anything ever before heard on the
political platform in America. 1t was
felt by some OF his friends that Mr..
Wilson's classical habit of language
would initiate against his success as a
politician. The first appearance of the
candidate for the Jersey governorship
dissipated these doubts. Mr.. Wilson
/ knew how to talk TO the people, knew
how to win them. He changed his
manner very little. never STOPPING. rs
| II he had to, to make the people under
stand. No matter where or before
what sort of audience he spoke. his
/ speeches were on a high plane, but
| they were so clear. so definite. that
/ every man understood and wondered
/ why he had not thought of that him
! self
Woodrow Wilson is not only the
/ most intellectual speaker that this
generation has seen on the stump; he
is the most engaging. A friendly
smile is almost always on his face
always In beginning. At any rate. His
words come with viGOr. but with Il
gentle good nature. tOO-nOt a good
natured tolerance Of the ills he is Op-
POSING, but a good natured confidence
that they will soon lie overthrown. A
serene faith in the outcome is one of
the characteristics of Wilson's attitude.
He is an optimist. and his speeches
have the nvigorating charm and pow
er Of call to join an army which is
marching to glorious and certain vic
tory
Mr. Wilson is a great story teller
in private he keeps his friends in
hourS-long gales Of laughter. He uses
simple words and strong words. but
seldom slang. He loves nonsense
verse and limerickS and often reels
them Off while be i getting acquaint-
ed with his audience. for he talks
with an audience. not to it. Mr.. Viii
son. rs has been said. has a strongly
individual face. Some people would
Gail Kim hOmely. He was under no il
fusion about that matter himself He
told the people du?in" his campaign
for the governo"ship that they might
rs well prepare themselves for busy
governor, for the Lord never intended
him TO be ornamental. Yes" he re-
marked once:
For beauty I am not A star:
There are others haudsomcr far.
2Ut u- FACET don't mind it,
For ] am behind It.
IT'S the people in front that I jar"
He speaks without notes His voice
IS full. rich and far carrying He ges-
lures freely. His utterance flows easily
in clean cut channels and goes home in
clear. strong sentences. He is master
of statement. His brain works as If it
had been taken out. cleaned and oiled
that day
That he enjoys it is clear. A man in
the audience NJ Lakewood called out.
oh. you're only an amateur poiti-
cian.'
Yes. That is TOO bad. isn't it? Rut
] have one SGrisfaction-a professional
plays the game. you know. because If
pays him. An amateur plays the game
because n" .oTes To play it. to win il if
he can hy fair means in a fair field be
fore the eyes Of al men. I'm afraid
I'm only an amateur. But I'm having
most interesting time OF it,
No one can listen 70 Woodrow vii
son and see the emotions Of the audi
ences Of earnest men who hang upon
his words without feeling that he is
witnessing the beginning Of political
revolution and that its prophet and
captain stands before him. This is p
new language. but one for which the
people have an instructive. pentecOstaI
understanding.
II is surely m interesting prospect
held out by this taking Of the center
Of the stage Of national politics by a
man made up of the combination Of
qualities which Woodrow Wilson pos
seSses. It is the combination Of the
gentleman and schClar-and the prac-
teal politician Imagine a student Of
government. one Of the most eminent
that America has produced a man OF
rich literary and ethical culture. Of the
fine fiber and mellow spirit that our
ancient universities still occasionally
shelter and develop. man Of In