The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-10-17
Tuesday, October II, 1916
WILSON'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

N'oN1 1iCd Cdu NC given U
the splendid work done by Presi
dent Wilson, during his admin
lstratlon, than by quoting lis
OF these acts OF constructive lie
glSlatlon, as set forth in detail b,
the Chicago journal. of recen
date, which fairly represents the
trend Of public opinion as it i.
slowly but surely veering around
to a strong support Of President
Wilson, and the hold upon the
middle west by Mr.. Hughes l.
gradually weakening, as the
people more and more realize
that he has nothing to offer tC
take the place ofthe strong exc
cutlve power of the present in
cumbent.
1.-The biggest fact in the public
life Of America today is the lead
ership Of Woodrow Wilson. No
other president rivaled him IN the
ability to secure congressional
support, and this in spite of the
fact that he is the head of pc
cullarly individualistic party.
and that his leadership has been
put to more terrific tests than
those faced by all previous presi-
dents Of the last fifty wears.
Tariff revision was deemed 50
difficult that it was sure to split
any party which undertook it. 1t
did split the republican party.
But President Wilson carried
through the most sweeping tariff
revision attempted since the civil
war and had his party more
firmly united at the end than it
was at the beginning.
Currency reform was so knottv
d subject that the Republicans
dared not even attempt it, and
dozens Of Democrats in Congress
were opposed to the administra
ton plan. President Wilson car
rled that plan through by sheer
intellectual supremacy, meeting
all honest objections and proving
them ill-founded, and holding up
so high standard Of public duty
that dishonest opposition hid it's
face.
The child labor law was oppos-
ed by states rights advocates
from the South and interested
mill owners from the North. but
President Wilson carried it
through.
The Adamson law to test the
eight-hour day on railroads was
the subject Of the bitterest quar-
rellng, but President Wilson put
the case SO cogently that seventy
republicans in the house voted
with the democrats in support of
the bill.
Foreign relations have been
perplexing and disturbing to a
degree, and seditious and parts
an cabals have been formed in
congress to embarass the presi-
dent or compel him to submit to
violations Of American rights.
They have embarrassed him; but
every time the matter has come
to test, President Wilson has
had the support Of an emphatic
majority.
This eminence in leadership is
one Of the rarestas we'll as one of
the most precious qualities that q
statesman can possess President
Taft lacked it he could hold the
allegiance Of only small tract
ion of his party. Mr.. Hughes as
governor lacked it altogether; his
stay at Albany was one long fact
ional wrangle. President Wilson
has it; and that fact alone should
insure his tenure Of the White
House for another four years.
Wilson s leadership is respon
sible for the most magnificent
series of constructive reforms
ever put through in this country. :
Wilson's leadership is all that !
has kept the land peaceful and .
prosperous when half the world ,
is in flames. Wilson s leadership
will be priceless in the troubled