New-York tribune., 1916-07-07

From The BoStOr Adr>rtiSer.l
The address OF President Wilson in Phia-
delphia, before the Associated Advertising
Clubs Of the World was a strong resoute
and ringing expression Of aggressive Amer-
canism. Il deserved the delighted applause
with which his audience greeted expressions
once so foreign to Mr.. Wilson's public utter
ances And the extent of the gap between
what he was formerly wont to say and what
he had to say in this his latest speech shows
over how wide a range of views and policies
the President has gone. under the strong spur
Of a public opinion which he no longer cares
to defy or provoke. If the President has had
no part in forming the strong spirit of
Americanism which animates the nation at
large. at least he has shown readiness to
get away from the views and policies which
he was champoning about year ago and
willingness to share in the American spirit
of the day.
Few more notable cases OF so complete
change Of heart and purpose on the part OF
an American President can be recalled in this
generation, at least. 1t is hardly more than
year since the President was assuring the
outside world that there was such thing, in
American sentiment, as being TOO proud to
fight" He denounced those "frebrands' who
dared 10 discuss any possibility Of this
tion's going TO war. He was strongly in
sstent on the duty OF Americans 10 refrain
from war preparations; and he put great
emphasis upon the wise policy of the United
States. which had always been content 10
rely. in emergency on a "citizen sOdiery."
He was, above everything else, pacfst
President. and he was eulogized as such by
every pacifst leader of the country, from the
oleagnous Mr.. Bryan down
1t is a sound and wise maxim that "Wsc
men sometimes change their opinions; fools,
never" Unquestionaby President Wilson
has done a manly and wise thing in discard
ing the unsound views and policies which he
so enthusiastically proclaimed in the earlier
years OF his administration. 1t is creditable
to mis- judgment and to his intellect that he
now rejects the mawkish and unsound senti-
mentality 20 which he was so devoted year
or so ago and is not afraid to admit his
former mistake. He has discarded unsound
theories, because ne sees that they are ut.
terly irreconcable with the realities OF the
situation before the United States And in
doing so he deserves credit for the fairness
of mind, the freedom from obstnacy and the
/ impartial poise that have enabled him to
make so complete public reversal of his
stand as President.
And, it may be added this is but one of
good many such instances. candidate for
reelection. ne was originally elected under
a pledge Of four-year term. We can re-
member when ne dismissed the period of
greatest depression in the country with the
Jest that such things were purely psyche
logical, while to-day he declares it 10 be one
Of the most important functions of govern
ment 10 help business. He completely re-
versed himself on the issue of the direct
primary. 4 year or so ago he was fighting
the Big Navy" movement, while now he says
that must have the first navy in the
world His sudden reversal OF opinion on
the army bill drove Secretary Garrison in
disgust out OF the Cabinet. His reversal OF
views on our foreign policies drove out
Bryan. He has shifted from one policy to
another with suddenness that has astound-
ed European observers. He has many times
followed up the strongest and most aggres-
siye "ultimatums" By months OF helpless in
action.
The ability and the cheerful willingness
/ 20 follow a policy of opportunism in such
fashion is not the best possible trait in
President OF great nation OF l00O0O.O0O
people. II is true that the Presidents
changes have been, for the most part. due 10
better understanding OF American senti.
ment. The fault is not so much with his at
utude to-day, but with the attitudes of the
! various yesterdays The Chief Executive Of