Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-03-20
WILSON CALLED A
GREAT PRESIDENT

WILSON CALLED A
GREAT PRESIDENT
The United States has passed out
of one of the most eventful and re-
markable epochs in its history. II
is not merely that congress ceased
to exist yesterday, or that presi.
Dental term expires; 1t is that the
last leaf in a volume has been turned,
and that the book has been closed.
1t would be next to impossible. while
impressions are so fresh and strong,
and while the thoughts which they
have engendered are so vivid, and
in many cases so conflicting, to frame
a nicely-balanced verdict on the testi-
mony within the covers. One glancing
backward FIVE or ten years hence will
be able to estimate more clearly the
events of the last few hours, and to
pass calmer and sounder judgment on
the acts of men who have placed OBJ
stacles in the way of measures de-
manded by the overwhelming senti-
ment of the public. But for some
conclusions there can be, and there
need be, no waiting. The closed vol
ume preserves rather than precludes
convictions. These may be subject
to modification or application later
on. For the present they make up the
sum of popular opinion.
Woodrow Wilson has worn better
than either OF his congresses. He
has worn better than his party. At
the end of four years the record of
achievement at his end OF Pennsyl.
vania avenue dims that at the other
end almost into obscurity. The best
bills offered have been Wilson bills;
the best laws enacted have been VIII
has been lamentably deficient in leg
islative ability; it has, however, had
a great executive, real president.
Woodrow Wilson would doubtless
have accomplished more during his
first term had he been better sup
ported. A stronger congress would
have inspired him to take stronger
measures. How very weak and I'M
dependable has been one of his prin-
cipal lieutenants the chairman of
the committee on foreign relations in
the senate, has only just been re-
vealed to an amazed public. How
closely the president has brushed up
against desertion the country is only
now discovering.
The sixty.fourth, like the sixty
third congress, has enriched the
statute book. Progressive legisla-
ton has been demanded by the White
House, and the demand, to a much
larger extent than the country real
ICES, has been acceded to. Because
other leadership hesitated or failed
in crucial hours, Woodrow Wilson
assumed dictatorship: Instead of
resulting in ultimate revolt, this
"usurpation" of authority and power,
as some have called It, eliminated
in the spectacle presented to the
country and the world on Saturday.
Saturday night and Sunday morning,
the marvel of all the elements of po.
litical partisanship save one, and that
an element of partisan instinct, blend
ing and melting into Wilson Ameri.
canism. Although rendered tempo,
rarily impotent, this uniflcation OF
congress stands out as the brightest
and most significant fact of the mo,
ment. If not today, tomorrow. or
the day after. its tremendous influ.
ence will be felt in the determination
of world affairs.
The old book is closed; the first
page of the new volume, turned to
day, stamps with condemnation the
coterie that has brought the republic
for the time being into undeserved
contempt before the rest of mankind
undeserved because the heart of the
nation IS true. and the honor of the
nation is nsullied.--Christian Science
Monitor.