Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-24

the slightest embarrassment. I have no
moment of hesitation or tagging enthus-
iasm, in standing by men whom l honor
and believe in. 1t gives me nothing but
pleasure and exhiliration to stand by
them at, any time and to any extent.
you may leave my feelings (my feel
ings for myself out of the reckoning.
THE aspect of this matter which seems
to me of gravest concern and conse-
quence is that the choice of members of
the Federal Reserve Board of the new
banking system should have been made
an occasion of partisan alignment and
action. The adverse report on your nom
nation to which you justly refer as I'M
fair and untrue is, of course, not to be
charged to the feeling or action. of the
Senate of the United States or to any
thing for which that great body as q
whole can be held responsible. The re-
port is signed only by the minority mem
oers of the committee and by two men,
bers OF the majority, who have usually
acted with them. There is no reason to
believe that either in its temper or in
Its conclusions that report represents the
attitude of the Senate itself | wish most
heartily that the Inauguration of the new
national banking system. system con-
ceived and enacted with no element of
partisanship in its objects or provisions
might have been free from this unfortu-
nate and ominous incident.
Il believe that the judgment and
desire of the whole country cry out
for new temper in affairs The time
has come when determinations against
particular classes of men should be alb
solutely 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 in common understandings
and for prosperity, the prosperity of
corporation and mutual trust and
confidence, should be united effort
without partisan prejudice or class an
tagonism. 1t is only of such just and
noble elements 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 gener-
osity and fairness.
Your action in requesting that your
name be withdrawn displays your
usual sensitive regard for considera-
tons other than your own personal in
terest and sincerely as I regret it. I
cannot but honor you for the action
You have taken. l have no right to
ask, much less to urge, that you con-
tinue to allow yourself to be made the
football of the sort of contest which
mas sprung up over this nomination 1t
is matter OF genuine sorrow to me
that q man like you should be exclud-
| ed from the public service upon a
great occasion. But neither of us is re-
sponsible for these extraordinary cir
cumstances. We must both ACCEPT
them. | cannot ask you to undergo
more than you have undergone. l can
only hope that better. cooler, wiser
counsels may presently prevail
Moreover, great program of cor
receive and constructive legislation is
upon the eve of completion and I am
sure that you would not wish as 1 do
not wish anything of a personal char
| acter stand even temporarily in its
| way to delay or in any respect divert
it. 1t is already clear that the country
comprehends and will itself redress the
| injustice which has been done you.
With warmest regard,
Cordially and faithfully yours.
| "(SigneD WOODROW WILSON"