Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-03-13

oldltlIDuSt anu IlthCtl lDG SuuE TO q
fragile"
or his manner of public speech some
thing more ought to be told With the
advent of Woodrow Wilson on the DO
liticaI stage came new type Of man
and Il new type Of OratOry. Mr. VIII
son has long been known as an exuui-
site master Of English prose He
Speaks as he writes-wth Il trained
and Skillful handling Of the resources
Of the language, a sureness, an accu-
racy, a power ana delicacy surpass-
ing anything ever before heard on the
political platform in America. 1t was
felt by some of his friends that Mr..
would initiate against his success as a
politician. The first appearance Of the
candidate for the Jersey goyernorship
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, as
If he had to, to make tie people under
stand. No matter where or before
what sort of audience he spoke, his
speeches were on n high plane, but
they were so clear, so definite, that
every man understood ana 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, Mt any rate. His
words come with vigOr, but with a
gentle good nature. too-not good
natured tolerance of the ills he is OPP
posing, but Il good natured confidence
that they will soon he 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 invigOrating charm and pow
er of n 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
them off while he is getting acquaint-
ed with his audience, for he talks
with an audience, not to it. Mr. Will
son. as has been said has strongly
individual face. Some people would
call him homely. He was under no il
fusion about that matter himself. He
told the people during his campaign
for the governOrship that they might
as well prepare themselves for q busy
governor, for the Lord never intended
him to be ornamental. Yes" he re-
marked once:
For beauty l am not star;
There are others handsomer, far
But my facet don't mind 1t.
For l am behind 1t:
IT'S the people In front that ! jar"
He speaks without notes. His voice
is full, rich and far carrying. He ges-
lures freely. His utterance flows easily
I'm clean cut channels and goes home In
clear, strong sentences. He is n 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 at Lakewood called out.
"Oh, you're only an amateur politi-
clan!'
Eyes. That is too bad, isn't it? But
l have one satisfaction-a professional
plays the game you know because 1t
pays him, An amateur plays the game
because he loves to play it, to win it if
he can by fair means in n fair field be-
fore the eyes of all men. I'm afraid
Pm only an amateur. But I'm having
a most interesting time of it,"
No one can listen to Woodrow Will
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 a
new language, but one for which the
people have an instructive, pentecostal
understanding.
1t is surely an interesting prospect
held out by this taking of the center
of the stage of national politics by n
man made up of the combination of
qualities which Woodrow Wilson pos
sesses. 1t Is the combination of the
gentleman and Scholar-and the prac-
teal politician. Imagine Il student of
government, one of the most eminent
that America has produced; 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 hui
manity. with heart not unvisited by
emotions, who Is yet able to go into
the sordid battle of politics, face the
'mean knights like Lancelot. keep
his temper, crack his ioke-and win
Imagine type OF culture in its finest
flower and then add to his endow
ment tact, method. efficiency, n shrewd
knowledge of men, n sense of humor.
a passion for facts, Zest for con