Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-08

CidSSuldie. hODeFJ Bridges. says Oh /
him that his college career was re-
markable for the confident selection" |
of his work and his SaEy indifer-
ence" to all subjects not directly in |
line with his purpose. His business
In college apparently was TO train his i
mind to do what he wanted it to do. |
and what he wanted it TO do he knew
He had already made himself prof. |
Gent in stenography. finding it OF
great value in making digests Of what
he read and quotations which would
otherwise have occupied him long.
Princeton was not then remarkable
in the teaching Of English. But the
men trained themselves in literary So
cieties. The body of the students was
divided into two balls so called Sc
cret societies. but really debating clubs
the American Wing society and the
Cliosophic society. Wilson belonged TO
Wing Hall. an organization whose con-
stitution had been written by James
Madison.
Here the young man was In his
glory. He entered eagerly into its ira
ditions and became almost immediate
ly one of its leading spirits. To read
ing and writing day and night upon
his favorite themes he began TO add
practice in elocution. One OF his class
mates troubled with a weak throat.
who was sent down to Potter's woods
to practice exercises. often saw wilson
in another part OF the woods declaim-
ing from u volume of Burke. On va
cations he was known TO spend good
deal Of time reading aloud and de-
claiming in his fathers church at VIII
mington. Another debating society or
ganiZed by Wilson himself. called the
Liberal Debating club. was fashioned
after the British parliament.
Wilson does not appear as great
prize winner. However. he did score
as second sophomore orator in the Wing
Hall contest and was one OF the lit
erary men of the class. an Grafton
on Golden and an essay on Lord
Chatham being especially recorded.
Connected with the two big prizes OF
the college are two stories which throw
light upon Wilson's character as stu
dent. The English literary prize Of
S125 his classmates thought that vii
son might easily win. but when be
learned that to compete meant 10 spend
time studying Ben Jonson aud two
plays of Shakespeare he refused to go
into il. saving he had no time 10 spare
from the reading that interested him.
The other big prize. that of the
Lynde debate, had been founded the
year OF Wilson's entrance to college.
and he had undoubtedly looked for
ward to winning it throughout his
course The I.ynde was an extern
pOraneOuS discussion participated in
by three representatives from each of
the two halls The halls representa-
tiveS were thus chosen. 4 subject was
proposed by committee. and candi-
dates were required to argue Oh p
Their side. HS WIS determined by lot.
BY universal consent Wilson was now
the star debater of the Wing society.
He was quite in Il class by himself.
and there was no doubt in anybody'S
mind that he would represent the hall
and win the prize The subject for
the preliminary debate in Wing Hall
WAS Free Trade Versus Protection"
Wilson put his hand into the hat and
drew ont slip which required him to
argue in favor Of protection He tore
up the slip aud refused To debate He
WAS Il convinced and passionate free
trader. and nothing under heaven. he
swOre. would induce him 10 advance
arguments in which he did not be
lieve
II will not he supposed that life was
ali work even for this rather serious
minded youth.
/ Princeton WAS famous for the pranks
of its students. On one occasion they
had taken Il donkey to the cupOla of
Nassau hall. Every class considered
itself disgraccd unless it had made
way with the clapper OF the college
bell. The rs class wore the mortar
board: the 'I9's did not. Wilson ridi-
culed ISIS headgear.
! Wilson lived first at the house of
Mrs. Wright. One OF his classmates.
Bob McCarter. who also lived at Mrs.
. Wright's. tells of a certain evening
when the two were engaged in Will
sons study in a quiet game of euchre.
a forbidden pastime in those dnys.
On the table. as it happened. lay BIZ
bic. A knock was heard at the door.
McCarter swiftly swept the cards out
of sight under the table and went to
the door. Before he opened it he turn
ed his head for moment. the thought
flashing over him that the cOnscien-
tious Wilson might have put the cards
back in plain view on the table But
what he saw was-Wilson reading the
Bible.
At this time it is recorded that he
weighed 15G pounds and stood five feet
eleven.
While without particular inclination
or ability in athletics and while back
in '75-9 athletics did not play the part
in college life that it now plays. Wood
row Wilson was a leader in the encour-
agement Of sports and in 1919 was
president of the athletic committee. al
another time OF the baseball associa-
ton.
His classmates and schOolmates con
cur in describing the college lad as a
!. fellow Of dignity. yet perfectly demo
cratic. The picture is that OF a youth
of unusual mental and moral maturity
"a well poised fellow. never a rOister-