The Washington herald., 1913-11-12
THO Views on Currency Legislation
Reasons Advanced Why Mr..
Wilson's Will Must Pre-
vail in Bill.
aoslah ouIpey. in the Boston Herald.l

Josiah Quincy, in the Boston HeraidJ
1t is undeniabIe that the Democratic
party as a national organization mas
been notably consolidated and strength
ened, partly by the Irresistible logic 81
events, partly by the divisions OF ts
opponents, but mainly by the ieaoetsn,p
which 1t has long needed and has many
found in President Wilson-leaoership
combining the theoretical and the prae-
tlcal elements OF statesmanship IN rare
degree, based upon ideal patriotism Keen
Intelligence, and infiexible purpose
And IT is to these personal quantlos
and characteristics of the President that
the country must turn in its ehdeavor 70
understand what is happening and Wnat
is going To happen at Washington u
Is upon these that the country must
rely to see II safely through the uncer-
tainties of the immediate future. for
the outstanding fact at "asnihston 70
that President Wilson Is not mereiy the
tItular head of the Federal government,
but is actually controlling and directing
it-deternining its policies and WILING 10
take the full responsibility or doing SO
And the second notable fact is that ne
is also assuming the duties and the re-
sponsibilIties of the chosen leader OF ms
party, which happens TO be In power IN
Congress as well as in the White House;
and this gives Nun AAoA FN-~Nf N@N~~
counsel and compromise have proved IN
ADEQUATE. in the making OF those de-
cIsions which must be made party
government is to play Its proper part at
Washington.
And a third fact also looms large at
Washington. The President dominates
the situation not only by right OF his
office, not only by virtue Of his ccncep-
ton of a government by the party In
power under its responsibility to the peo-
pie, but by virtue of his ability TO govern
In short he is fully equipped. alike in
knowledge of American history Of the
philosophy Of politics, of the workings
OF our government, and in Intellectual
and moral grasp. to perform the duties
OF his high office. II he dominates the
situation IL is not alone by virtue of the
officiaI power with which he is clothed.
great as that is, but also by virtue OF
that still higher right which Is based
upon fitness to lead-upon depth OF knowl-
edge. breadth OF vision. power OF reason
certainty Of grasp.
The natural attitude of the member Of
Congress-and there are plenty Of able
men in that body, now as always-is not
In favor of Presidential leadership. II
President Wilson leads-and the country
now knows that he does and will con-
tinue to do so-it Is because he knows
how to convince members OF Congress
that he has a higher right to lead than
they have been accustomed to perceive in
occupants Of the Presidential office.
To return 10 the currency what Is
said above may indicate the outcome Of
the present situation In the Senate. A
currency bill will pass because IL must
pass, and 1t will be made a party meas
ure so far as may be necessary to en-
able the President and his party in Con-
gress to meet the responsibilities which
the American people have placed in their
hands.
Banking and currency are not in their
nature partisan questions, though there
may be important questions OF party
policy involved in their fundamentals.
But legislation must be had: and II IT
cannot be had by unanimous agreen ent,
upon a non-partisan basis-which would
be the best way-then it must be OBJ
tained in the other method-by action
of the majority OF the Senate.
The hearings before the Senate COM
mittee have been informing or illumin-
ating; but a body Of experts would have
great difficulty in agreeing upon a cur
rency bill. Singleness of will must finally
decide the question; and the will must II
necessary be that of the President This
must be the decision upon fundamentals,
taken not only on behalf of his party,
but for the benefit of the country.