The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-03-19
WILSON TOUCH

w~I - s. ' rF
Editorial In The New York Evening
Post: We know. by long tradition; of
'the Nelson touch"--that' indefinabie
stamp Of personality and Of genius
the great admiral used to put
a plan OF battle. The thing Is az
fascinating to study in politics as it is
In war. What a lift and refreshing 1t
Ia to those whose business compeis
them to follow public affairs. when a
arrives who breaks the old
moulds, and invents and
displays new methods all instinct with
his own individuality! This Is what
President Wilson has been doing for
the past twelve months. Today marks
the end Of his first year in Office. Dur
ing that period, it may safely be said
that American politics q been more
interesting-We do not say more eXctt-
for a generation. The inter
est has been that Of Watching an orig
and powerful mind striking cut on
new lines. Upon all the chief govern
events of the year, the Wilson
touch has been placed; and to try to
make cut just what that Is may: we'll
the thoughts OF political stu
dents. .t...
It is n of those cases In which the
way of doing things is, in a sense
more important than the things done.
For once you know the method, you
can infer future results. And it Is
President Wilson's method which a
all observers, even more
than his extraordinary record of
achievement. Upon the latter. it is not
necessary to dwell at length. The facts
are known to all. Even the presi-
dents opponents agree that the res
gesta Of his first year out-bulk the
record Of the ordinary administrators
four years. To have put behind him
two capital measures like the tariff
revision and the currency bill in less
than ten months; to have next per-
suaded the senate to ratify the long
arbitration treaties: and
finally to have convinced congress
that it ought to repeal the tolls-ex-
emption clause Of the Panama act-all
size and weight, as welt as for being
unexpected and. unprecedented. ap-
peals to the dullest imagination. There
has been nothing like it since the civil
war. You have only to think of. Will
son in connection with humdrum. pres
idents like Hayes and Mckinley, or
even with forceful and outstanding
presidents like Cleveland and Roose-
welt, to see how his personality chal-
ASAA3SS ~ ~ "ASAA AN NSAJ Q
est.
What, then, has been his secret?
Where are the hidings Of his power?
1t Is impossible to put ones finger
precisely upon the pulse Of the ma
chine. But we can note how 1t oper-
ates. We can observe the method,
even if we cannot nicely measure the
dynamic thrust behind it. And 1t is
evident that the first element in the
Wilson touch Is a perfectly clear and
definite idea of what ia wanted. Elk
President Taft remarks this in his re-
cent generous appreciation Of Wilson
He declares that the president knows
perfectly what he desires before he
goes to congress to get 1t. And, OF
course, this intellectual grasp OF his
subject persists in all his personal
discussions with congressman. He can
out-argue them because he has out
thought them. The vague men &c
down inevitably before the definite
man. 1t was Mirabeau, we believe,
who predicted the rise Of a French
politician at the time Of the Revolu-
ton, saying Of him: Look out fol-
that man. He knows just what he
wants, and he precisely what
he says" ..,
In the process of execution, Mr.
v AA9SA AS1 SAASVAA ~ ~ VtASIAAN
without being noisy, how to bring
about what amounts to a revolution
with a quiet air of a man taking a
stroll in the country. He has dis
played an audacity fitted to take ones
breath away, yet he has done it will
smiling eyes and u~nconcern. NJ
/ thunderings in the index have pre-
ceded it, no loud echoes of the storm
have followed. The impression ii
that he has simply been doing the mos
natural thing in the world. Such wal
the air which he threw about his first
going to congress to read his message
in person. He almost made 1t appeal
like a dropping in to afternoon tea,
| Why should he remain upon his 'iso
lated island Of jealous power" thu
White House F.. when by going to thu
/ other end of Pennsylvania avenue h
could have a nice neighhorly time with
his "colleagues''' in congress? In thu
| face of such an attitude, talk O
"usurpaton," Of of tyrannical domi
nation by an overbearing executive
falls fiat. 1t Is impossible to erect
man chatting by the fire into u maj
on horseback.
All this looks easy, as Wilson hat
done it, but let anybody else try 1t
Amy work Of perfect skill looks cas-.
\ " i've Al Nv &~N AN "At@S NVkAS
effort lies behind 1t. And Presiden
Wilson has not spared labor. Hi
method is one thing: the energy h
has put into it is another. Such in
spring and drive as have come fror
the White House since March 4. 1911;
take it out Of a man. But the presi
dent has prudently conserved hi
strength. He has not stretched him
self thin owe the whole country. Onl
two set speeches. IL we remembe
Alright, has he made in public durin
the past year. If other president
have made themselves cheap by goin
everywhere. Wilson has consulted bot
his work in hand and the dignity {
his office by staying in Washington
II others have talked on every con
ceivable subject, he has held his vert
al fire until the time came when h
could make 1t telling, The net impress
sion he has made istthat of q stron
man following q course which. he ha
carefully marked out for himself i
advance; his. time not his own, but IL
public business; relaxation only fl
health and not for the delectation {
busybodies and cronies; with the cor
slant application of a. will that has
spring like fine steel to the dispatc
II We are told chat we must make a
Iowance for Wilson's Tuck" Circun
stances were so uncommonIy Tavorab
to him. Very we'll; imagine him dyir
I a week after inauguration and Marsl
all dealing with the am circumstal
ces! It is useless to try to get aws
from native power and political geniu
: They work their will with ease whe
\ others would fail miserabIy. 1T
doubtless true that President wils'
will have to a a certain reactIo
, His prestige will not always seem
= undimmed as now. his authority
- | r~xsna& 4. .Tlrgk nnf1 a yyh q 4 Srnnty TA n aa a
, ready revealed to his1 countryn1en
. nilhlfc- ~characterr In whom fheY viii. d