Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-08
Tho Why Of Wilson

g AVS the learned Baltimore Sun at the con-
~ clusion of an editorial on Wilson and
the congress: The people can trust Presi-
dent Wilson. and they do trust him.
Here is Il statement that has been printed
SO often by Journals Of so many compilations.
and made so often by men Of diverse minds
that It is worth while TO consider just why the
people trust Wilson. Beginning the search
with the expectation Of much labor. one is
surprised 10 find himself Immediately at the
end Of the task. for the reason the people
trust Wilson lies on the surface, and there
is nowhere 10 dig! Never has there been n
case so selfevidert az this. question so easy
10 answer.
Wilson is trusted for two simple old-fash-
toned traits-honesty and intellectually. He
is the poorest politician. perhaps, the chair
he occupies has ever known. UnacQuainted
with ways OF dealing in the dark. untutored
in trickery. a rank novice at devious methods
he has recourse only TO the open expression
Of his sincere convictions. man like that
may make mistakes. but honest ones. and be
loved for his errors; he may accomplish great
things by the very force OF his own convic-
tons. where men of other types would re-
Guire stage settings and pyrotechnics, where
Roosevelt. as the Sun truly says, would
have TO first work himself up into a passion
TO invoke following.
Consider what change has come over
American thought since the advent of Wilson.
His nomination came only after death
struggle with the stubbornly resisting insti-
tuition OF practical politics understood in
the old school His election perhaps
made possible only by the division in the Re-
publican party, but back of that, even before
election day the country was feeling a strong
desire for a new sort OF power in Washington
There demand for trained intellect,
and Wilson. schoomaster, student, historian,
philosopher, seemed to meet that demand
Elected, inaugurated. the schoolmaster
found himself with a stupendous task on
hand and vital situation approaching. He
had TO deal with social economic, administra-
tive affairs. each OF major Importance, all
new in the light of modern experience. He
had TO bring forth untried remedies and as
sert their worthiness in face of hostile or
Ganzation of capital and political power. and
he had TO do that by the sheer force Of his
dominating intellectually. his compelling
honesty. He had the welding of new kind
of democracy in his hands, and from the day
he personally appeared before Congress with
his first message, every corner in the hall of
legislation knew that this man would be on
the job with his brains, not with his mouth.
There has never been serious criticism of
his policies. even though the jingoes have
helplesly wallowed in their own clamor
about Mexico, and the devotees of hard cider
lave tried vainly TO ridicule grape Juice
f-AceptlHe Ine Snlp-purcnaSe and conservation
measures, the Presidents program of heroic
reconstruction has gone through, because of
Wilson'S convincing presentation in each
case and the things he and his supporters
have done will make history for this country
that will stand as the expression OF a high
order of political leadership.
In word, Wilson is trusted by the people
because he happens to be the personifcation
OF advanced American thought. The Ameri-
-.
eager to serve humanity. And that political
opponent would be digging his own grave
who ventured TO underestimate these quail
ties In chief executive
II is a splendid fact that intellectually and
honesty have the approval of the whole
american people. and when Wilson goes
again before the electorate. there Is at this
time the prospect of majority to attest this
approval that will astonish the political
world.