Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-03-20
Is Woodrow Wilson To Be
Another Abraham Lincoln?

| OI LII LIE ID. TAVENHER, nj.
Especial to the Virginia Free Press. ]
Washington March 18th. Woodro
) Wilson, Man of the Hour, has an oppo
tunity to make himself the creates
president since Abraham Lincoln, an
to keep the Democratic party in powe
1 for years to come.
This is true not merely because he
today President of the United States
There have been other big men Presi
dent since Lincoln 1t is becaus
Woodrow Wilson realizes that the on
great principal issue that confront
the Republic is not the tariff issue, tn
currency issue, or the trust issue, bu
the issue of humanity. Taft did, no
realize this nance his failure.
The tariff issue. the currency issu,
and the trust issue, are sin ply ariih
metical problems that may be worked
out, but the issue of humanity is OF.
of conscience and soul. The frs
named issues are business propositions
and concern dividends and dollars
| chiefly, while the issue of humanity
refers to human rights. the protection
of women and children and all those
who are being oppressed by organized
greed.
Ii the American pnblic will read
Woodrow Wilson's inaugural speech a
second time, better Interpretation of
the light that he sees may be had. No
inaugural speech save the fist one of
Abraham Lincoln eyer read like it,
"We know our task is to be no task
ofpolitics, he says, but task which
will search US. thaough and through
Mems hearts wait upon us; mems lives
hang in the balance. ! summon all hon.
est men, all patriotic, all forward=look-
ing men, to my side. God helping me
will not fail them, if they will but
counsel and sust ain mel
People Behind Wilson
1t is an old tradition in Congressional
circles in Washington that President
must not Interfere with either branch
of Congress He may submit whatever
views he mag have on subject, and
recommend the passage of any legisla-
ton he may desire, bat after that. ae-
cording to tradition, he must sit with
hands toldedand watch legislation which
may be highly desirable to the people,
be peacefully chlorofosmed i'll committee
ard psss into Oblivion
1t is said that Woodrow Wilson is
going to disregard this tradition. This
will be for the public good The only
ones who will protest will be those op-
posed to the progressive ideas that
Woordw Wilson stands for
The Presidant viii be sustained by
sentiment The people, repub-
hcans as well as democrats, have for
years been demanding a square deal at
the hands Of their public servants in
Washington. They still demand it.
Tney don't care whether it comes from
a democrat or a repuhlican, they simply
want it. Presidelt n dlcw Wilson
proposes to give it to them. The people
know full well he will have to fig hit, and
they will hold up Ills hands, even should
he find it necessary, in their interest,
to break down a half dozen traditions!
What The People Pay.
The people of the United States pay
a subsidy in artificially nigh prices to
the wool industry of at least $104 900,
600 year, according to calculations Of
Hon Oscar W Underwood, ofAlabama
chairman of the Ways and Means Com
mittee of the House of Representative
The Payne ldrich tariff tax of 81
cents per yard, to say nothing Of any
Increase in tax as it passes to the job
Der, makes not less than $104. COO, 900
paid each year to substitute the wool in
dustry of America, says Mr.. Under-
wood. Now the entire duties actually
paid the United States on allimports of
woolens and worsteds in 1910 amounted
to less than Sis, 900 900, which mean4
that of the $lO4, 900. 900 extorted from
the purchasers of wollens nearly 500.
900, GOO went to the wooden indsutry.
Is it fair or just or right to maintain
these enormous taxes undu1y to foster
the business of less than one fourth of
One per csnt, of the people and to re,
quire ninety-nine and three fouFths 10
seagger under this enormous burden.