Evening journal., 1915-06-23
WEDNESDAY JUNE %. 1915
UNSTABLE in THOUGHT AM ACTION.

& liability in thought and action is not character
- istic Of President Wilson. That is shown clearly
by his record President and as a private citizen.
Repeatedly he has reversed himself completely upon
public questions, greatly to the surprise Of those who
had an abiding faith in what they regarded as his great
wisdom
in regard to Mexico, the President of the United
States ha shown an element OF true greatness by
frankly announcing that he has changed his mind"
says the Washington Post II frankly announcing
that he has changed his mind is evidence Of true
greatness it must be conceded that President Wilson
has few equals and no superiors.
He has not only changed his mind once but he has
changed il twice in regard the Mexican situation
In May, 1919 he declared his intention of securing
the removal of the dc faco head Of the Mexican gov
srnment and interfering in Mexican affairs in other
respects particularly in the control OF the public land
policies of that government. A few months later in
his speech in indianapolis he frankly announced that
he had changed his mind and asserted that there must
be no interference and that Mexico must work out
her problems without the assistance influence of this
country. Now he just frankly announces that he
has again reversed himself and proposes to exert an ac
tive and aggressive influence in controlling internal af-
fairs OF that afflicted country
But Il Is not with regard to the Mexican problem
only that Presif mt Wilson so frankly announces
change Of mind few years ago he was writing books
In which he denounced the initiative and referendum
1vnen he became candidate for President he frankly
announced that he has been mistaken. that he had
changed his mind and that he advocated those prinoi-
pies Of popular government Since his election how
ever he has evidently returned to his former opinion
f9r his voice has not been in advocacy Of
direct legislation Prior to his election he was a de-
(yout advocate of the Presidential primary law but in
recent months he has made known his opinion that
legislation Of this kind is impractcable
On the stump when he was seeking the votes of the
American people he outspoken advocate of free
tolls for American coast-wise shipping through the
mama Canal. but after he had come into a po-
stor of power he frankly announced his change Of
mind and forced through Congress a law repeating
the free tolls provision
AS candidate for the favor of the electorate he
was champion of civil service reform and for many
years vice-presdent Of the Civil Service Reform
League, but dispenser Of patronage he has re-
sorted to the spos system such large extent as to
Indicate complete and astonishing change Of mind
AS candidate of the Democratic party he denounced
extravagance in public business and pledged himself
to economical administration but an address 10
Congress he frankly announced his change Of mind by
saying that in his opinion the American people did not
care how much money spent provided they got
something for IT,
Truly, IL must be conceded that in frankly announc-
ing changes Of mind President Wilson is unsurpassed
and If this be element of true greatness, as the
Washington Post assumes. he will go down in history
with scarcely peer.