The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-06
Middle-West Won Over to Prev paredness WheD People
 Knew the Real Situati

Knew the Real Situation
 f'T therefore went out and spoke in a number of cities of the Middle West for the purpose of stating just what understood; the dangers and necessities of the present situation to be, so far as the United States was concerned, and what measures thought ought to be taken to meet any possible emer- gency, and the thing that I expected happened. Such opposition to a pro- gramme of preparedness as there had been disappeared the moment the peo- pie knew the real situation and the actual proposals, and before my trip was over felt that could go back to Washington and state with confi- dence that the people of the Middle West were in favor of preparedness. When I did get back to Washington I found it was not necessary to state, it, because it, had already become evident to those Who had thought the con- trary."
 President Wilson is utterly sincere when he says that he has. no personal desire for reelection, but everything that he believes in, chains him to the White House. He seeks reelection because so much that is vital to the peoples welfare is unfinished, so many and such great opportunities for service remain. If he is worried over the outcome of the election, he does not show it in the least. Attired in natty business suit of dark gray serge, he looked younger than he did two years ago., and he has put on weight.
 There is a, genia1ity about the Presf- dent that wins instant sympathy. All the glory and the glamour of his high office are yelled but. not icloaked by a very ostentatious bearing and demo- cratic manner. He is so simple and yet so full of purpose, so evidently sincere, so thoroughly. patriotic, that to have the privilege of knowing him is to have implicit confidence in him. He is not an inspired genius who pro- ceeds to force his views upon those surrounding him; on the contrary, his mind is of a very formative character and his opinions are at times slowly and gradually evolved as the results of much patient study and investigation. Governments, Not Peoples Make War. Democracy is the Best Preventive.
 dSAcu MT. WllS0u Wu0luSI HIS CA- perie1ce during the past four years has strengthened his faith in demo- cracy. He replied: @
 My faith in democracy has been strengthened by many things < and from more than one quarter. I am convinced that only governments in itiate such wars as the present, and tht they are never brought on . by peoples, and that, therefore, demo- cracyJis is the best preventive of such jealousies and suspicious and secret intrigues as produce wars among fna- tions lwhere small groups contro rather. than the great body of public opinion
 And take what has happened on our side of the water-we may, well be proud of it. We have had splen- did exhibition of the self-possession of a great people in the midst of all sorts of provocations and anxieties and sudden changes. We who have faith in democracy may we'll be proud that the people of the United States have shown an extraordinary capac- ity to distinguish between the big es- sential things and the details which, however, lamentable and, irritating, 0o uol couSutuIe tue cSSeuCe or the situation.
 And this faith in democracy, this inspiration I have received from the people, has extended all through the executive departments and made ours more truly a government by the peo- pie. I think the whole cabinet has felt the influence of public opinion as directly and as sensitively asa have tried to feel it, and think I can say with confidence that there never has been time in the history of our country when the executive de- parttnents of Nthe governments were more immediately responsive to the influences proceeding out of the body of the people themselves than they are now.