The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-24


 stances should seem even for the mo- ment to be associated with appointment to high office under the great govern ment of the United States, representing generous, fair and honorable people; regret that the organization of a great banking system should be embarrassed and obstructed.
 You need not think that anything in the present circumstances has em- barrassed me in the least. It causes me not the slightest embarrassment, l have no moment of hesitation or Tagging enthusiasm, in standing by men whom honor and believe in You may leave my feelings (my feelings for myself) out of the reckoning.
 The aspect of this matter which seems tos me of gravest concern and consequence is that the choice of mem bers of the federal reserve should have the new banking system should have been made an occasion of partisan alignment and action. The adverse re- port on your nomination to which you justly refer as unfair and untrue is, of course, not to be charged to the feeling or action of the Senate of the United States or to anything for which that great body IS whole can be held responsible. The report is signed only by the minority members of the com mittee and by two members of the
 
 them. There is no reason to believe that either in it's temper or in it's con clusions that report represents the At- titude of the Senate itself
 ''I wish most heartily that the inaugu- ration of the new national banking sys- tenn, a system conceived and enacted with no element of partisianship in It's ob- jects or provisions. might have been free from this unfortunate and ominous in- cident.
 q believe that the judgment and desire of the whole country cry out for a new temper in affairs. The time has come when determinations against particular classes of men should be absolutely laid aside and discarded as unworthy of the counsels of a great people. The effort for genuine social justice. for peace. the peace which is founded on common understandings and for prosperity. the prosperity of cooperation and mutual trust and confidence, should be a united effort without partisan prejudice or class antagonism. It is only of such just and noble clements that the welfare of a great country can be compounded. We have breathed already too long the air of suspicion and distrust. The progress of reform is not retarded by generosity and fairness.
 Displays Consideration
 Your action in requesting that your
 
 sensitive regard for considerations other than your own personal interest and sln- cerely as I regret it I cannot but honor you for the action you have taken I have no right to ask. much less to urge that you continue to allow yourself to be made the football of the sort of contest which has sprung up over this nomination. It is a matter of genuine sorrow to me that man like you should be excluded from the public service upon great occasion. But neither of us is responsible for these extraordinary cir cumstances We must both accept them. I can only hope that better, cooler, wiser counsels may presently prevail.
 Moreover. great programme of cor rectIve and constructive legislation is upon the eve of completion and am sure that you would not wish as do not wish. anything of a personal character to stand, even temporarily In its way to delay or in any respect divert it. It is already clear that sthe country com prehends and will itself redress the in- justice which has been done you.
 with warmest regard. Cordially and faithfully yours, WOODROW WILSN faithfully yours.
 WOODROW WILSON,"