Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-08-07
VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE.

XANRS. WILSON died today at five o'clock" This was
the brief message that flashed over the wires yes
terday afternoon and told anxious nation that
but few hours before had first learned of her
sickness that the end had come The dispatches of the
day before announcing that the presidents wife dan
gerously ill, came like lightning flash from coudess
sky and the news of her death following closely
gave the people time to realize the terrible blow that had
fallen so heavily upon their chosen leader.
To him. it came not unexpectedly for he knew and had
known for months that the end might at any time
This is what makes the tragedy pitfu With tremen
dous responsibility resting upon him, President Wilson
performed the duties of his office and met the
trying situations that have crowded each other rap
idly with cheerful optimism and buoyant hopefuness
that robbed of their eors the dangerous conditions that
for some time have surrounded us. We realized and un
derstood the public burdens he carried but the heavier
load of personal suffering of poignant and heart
wrecking hopeessness that with him always, and
which he bore silently and alone we knew or This
is indeed pu And yet the putting in the background
of his own affairs but In keeping with the man, and
characteristic of that finest creature of civilization
the simple unostentatous American gentleman or which
he is so splendid type.
But, two days ago. sitting beside his dying wife, her
hand casped in his for all he knew for the last time, and
gazing with eyes dmmed by tears at the wasted and ema
ciated form of her who had travelled es journey with
him to this the point whence he must walk on alone, his
great heart still found for the suffering of Others
and here with the shadows of the utteng wings OF the
angel of Death qverng the contepane above his
warning princes of Europe offering his services and
those of the American people, that death ana sorrow,
hunger and want suffering and woe and all the other red
vntages that brim the cup of War might be turned from
the lips of the tolng millions of unhappy Europe before
they than tasted declaration of peace not
war; and that well might make the mighty of the earth
pause and crowned heads bend low in shame
Somehow there is little to be said when Death touches
with chill fingers and fantng pulse and that which was
is not Language seems cold and words meaningless.
And today regardless of party creed the whole
ton opens its great heart to its stricken leader in silent
but profound sympathy. 1t knows just he knew
months ago. and he did not the pathetic picture
as he sat by his wfes bedside and Memory flooding
his soul with recoectiOnS 1t fancy these he
recalled them The gentle trusting girl her eyes aglow
with love- who at the alter gave those vows spendidy
kept the young mother whose generous breasts gave his
children Sustenance who made their little cottage Home
the mature and refined woman who walked proudly by
his side into the high place which the people of his state
called him. and later still ejoced when the greatest hon
orthat can be given any man. the presidency of the United
States was awarded him by a hundred million people
1t can and understand all this and seeing and under
standing mourn with him the passing of Gods finest
ation-a loving and tender wife and mother.