The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-12-02
WHY WILLOW LOST
PRESTIGE

10 the man who lends an attentive
ear 70 the talk upon the streets, in
Shops, and a. country cross roads, i -
manifest that the most serious blow
President Wilson has suffered Is rot
10 the industrial depression 81 1914
Lot IN the mismanagsraent Of Mexican
affairs, not IN the ~extrzvagznes OF his
administration, not in his violation Of
campaign pledges-Fhoggh al these
we're enough 70 break the power II any
ordinary occupant Of a p0bhe OSIee.
Ia spite Of al these faalts and fail
ings, the American people were behind
President wilson until they lost con
fdebee in bis sincerity. That cost him
bis prestige. That broke the strength
tast vas said 10 be greater than his
party"
His advocacy Of repeal Of free tolls
through the Panama canal after
Eiedging himself in favor Of free toIls,
might be due 70 new information. HE
violation Of the spirit Of the civil ser
vice Law could be excused by sone On
the ground that political pressure was
more than be could withstand. His
urgent support Of a ship purchase plan
which he was pledged 70 oppose, would
Re accounted for by others on the
theory that be had been misled a. to
the results to be accomplished. These
we're large matters involving intricate
problems which a great majority Of the
people have no opportunity to study
IN detail.
But there have been a few minor in
ei5ents which the people could under
stand and which made an imperishable
impression upon their minds. For in
stance, there was his deeIinztion to de-
liver an address at Arlington National
Cemetery On Memorial Day, and his
change Of mind after Champ Clark had
agreed 70 speak on that occasion. No
member Of the q. A r. has forgotten
t5at.
Then there was his abrupt change
from an avoved policy Of p%itiiess pub
heity 70 a practice Of studied secrecy.
The American people will not long
trust any man who viii not trust them.
For many months he resisted the ef-
forts Of the equal suYragists to learn
his attitude upon the question in which
they we're interested and TO which they
we're giving Of their time and labor
and money. His belated announcement
was received with open expressions Of
doubt "a to its sincerity.
But there Is one other, and much less
important incident, which has had o
more widespread and lasting effect
than any Of these. For more than a
year the American people were given a
picture Of President Wilson bowed
with the weight and worry Of public
duties, bearing a load Of grief and dc
voting his entire time TO the cares If
government. This went on with the
Presidents knowledge, il not by his in.
struction. Then came the sudden dis
closure that much Of his time had been
spent in pleasure see~king-gol6ng, mo-
toring, and other matters, to the ex-
clusion Of cabinet meetings, delay Of
diplomatic correspondence and inatten
tion to the public service.
Prior TO this latest incident, the
American people were wont to listen
to all of President Wilson 3 utterances
with a marked degree Of respect. II
they differed with him they did ii
courteously and with reluctance. They
believed him sincere in his attitude.
But one after another have come the
little acts which appeal to the minds
of the common people and give them
on intuitive understanding Of their fell
low men.
When Mr.. Wilson finally announces
his adherence TO the single.term plank
Ct the Baltimore platform, his utter
ance will be received with smiles Of
derision, for IL will have the sound of
forced expression rather than sincere
adyoeacv of nrinciDles