The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-25
BITTER FRUIT
(By Chicago Tribune.)

first analyze existing political situa-
tons. internal and International, and
then make their theories conform to
those facts and tendencies, not try to
make the facts conform to their theor-
les.
Again, on account of his training as
schoolmaster, Mr.. Wilson has n
scholastic. legalistic mind. He at
taches what seems to us to be dis
proportionate value to words. He saw
the vast power of president of this
country transferred to himself because
of Mr.. Bryans dialectical skill at the
Baltimore convention. Bryan knew
just the right second to move the prev
ious question or to ADJOURN or to ask
for poll Of the delegation. BY such
skill in political expression Mr.. Will
son. with practically no experience in
political action. suddenly saw himself
nominated for one OF the two or three
most powerful political positions on
earth. Naturally this confirmed his
predisposition that words speak louder
than action.
Crises were thrust upon him. First
land stilD as to Mexico. Next as to
the great war. He tried to meet each
with excellent rhetoric--and in oWr
sincere conviction. he has failed in
each more hopelessly than any presi-
dent since Buchanan. For he set words
first. Though we have been circling
around and around war for the last
two years like brig on the circum-
ference of huge whirlpool. through
the influence Of Mr.. Wilson not one
man or one ship or one gun has yet
been added TO our forces. Relatively
to all other powers we have. during
the two years in which he has been
training his verbal artillery on other
nations and factions. slipped back into
greater military weakness. For other
nations have been vastly increasing
their ornaments. We have not.
But the most utter difference we
have with our president is this: The
Tribune is pro-American. Mr.. Will
son. according to his own repeated
statements, Is not. He says and re-
peats that he is rs much proIHumanity
, as pro-American. Indeed. that he is
more 80. For he SAYS and has repeat
ed that he would fight for the inter-
ests Of humanity but would withdraw
from the fight when the interests mar
rowcd down to those OF the United
States alone.
It is incredible. Having earnestly
campaigned for the position OF presi-
dent of the United States mot of hui
manity). and having been elected by
the people of the United States. not by
4 humanity. and being paid $4,000 a
year and travelling expenses by the
| taxpayers Of the United States. not of
humanity. he now states that he feels
as high sense of duty toward hui
manity as to the United States.
We know that thea are many who
think his position in this regard Is
splendid, noble minded. etc, but to us
It is incredible. As II the guardian
ship Of one hundred million unarmed
people in a world OF war were not
enough TO concentrate the undivided
devotion OF one middle aged man but
that he must fuss equally about the
rest Of humanity.
Fate holds a ripe apple to our lips
In Mexico and bitter fruit in Flanders,
Yet our president perslstently. turns
from the golden fruit and as persist
emily seems determined finally to make
us eat OF the bitter one-humanityi
What crimes may soon be committed
in thy name.
For the foregoing paragraph we may
be accused of Grass and base mill
tarism. But, critics, consider this
Mexico is the farm adjoining ours. Its
trees are infested with scale: its
grains with smut and rusts; Its hogs
with cholera; It's COWS with foot and