The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS

THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
There is no known remedy by which persistent and hostile
criticism can be snenced, but there is, happily, a method, II
properly applied, that will completely disarm the critic and make
him appear ridiculous in the sight Of his fellow man.
1t was to this latter task that President Wilson devoted HIM
self in his address to the congress on Monday and one has on'y
TO read carefully his maSterful document to determine how eflec
lively the darts were removed from the spears IN the hands OIL
his enemies.
The nation, before this time, has weighed his open, free and
frank expressions against the unjust and unfair Interpretation Of
his enemies, The golden nuggets of his logic have been assayed
by discriminating minds that, in some instances, were inclined
to accept the spurious article, because they had nothing genuine
to use as a basis of valuation.
The only basis for a just quarrel that the presidents friends
have with him is that too often they are required to submit to
misinterpretaton of his policies by those who do not wish to
be just, while the president is content to let achievement take
the place OF words. One cannot read his address without appre-
ciating its clarifying Influence, and rcgretting that he does not
more often take the congress fully into his confidence, or at
least place in the hands Of his friends the weapons OF defense
which he wields so skillfuly and with so much force.
1t was in keeping with the fitness of things that the opening
remarks of the president should have been devoted to an appre-
citation Of the nations achievement in the war. 1t is a fitting
testimonial to the success of the greatest venture this country
has ever entered upon, and assuredly we shall be hard put to
conjure the most responsive imagination to contemplate the day
when the record shall be exceeded,
The record is not one of Wanted supermen, but of ordinary,
average American men, of mcn called from the pursuits of
peace to take their places i'll the strange and unfamiliar business
OF Wag1ng war IN all its phases. The presidents unrestrained
tribute to the soldier, the sailor and the civilian is an epic in
prose, The historian Of the future, no matter how far removed
he may be from the disconcertng and distracting events Of the
present, THAI are assumed to lend color and bias to contem-
porary events, will not be able to 60 more directly to the heart
OF things or more correctly assess the character of American
patriotism. 1t was a splendid tribute to the men who labored
and the men who fought, deity and delcately reminding those
that may have purposed to achieve some personal rcnown from
their own performances that what they did was not an individual
achievement, but merely a circumstance rejecting the co-opera-
ton of all the people.
The reference to the work of the women was in line with
other expressions on the subject Of suffrage, and was very much
the same that has been running through the minds of the Ameri-
can people since the war began, 1t is not strange that the
president, in his ardor to secure the ballot for the women of
the nation, should press the advantage reflected in their achieve
mentS, which have been so signal and so praseworthy, and per-
formed with such patriotic devotion. The president feels, as
indeed the women do, that il the present opportunity to secure
equal rights with the ballot is lost they must hereafter wait upon
the pleasure of those who have it in their power to extend the
privilege, rather than to expect to earn it by an exhibition OF
qualities of fitness.
The presidents very positive dsavowal of any fixed opinion
of his own as to what policy should be adopted with regard to
the future Of the railroads stands out in bold contrast to the
fixed opinion Of the man on the street, who has long since made
up his mind just how the vexatious problem should be solved
The president recognizes the right Of the public, and at the
same time he is not forgetful OF those who have a financial inter
est in the roads. To settle the question permanently it must be
settled with equal justice to all, and the president is determined
that whatever is done shall be, if he can bring it about, for the
common good, There will be no dissension over the objection
to the return of the properties in such manner as will again
start a destructive competition without proper governmental
supervision. 1t will be unfortunate If the railroads ever agair
pass to private control in such manner as will permit them tc
reward friendly agents, subsidized newspapers and other instru
mentalties that influence public opinion We have reached the
point III tHC ASNNNPhFSHA vi luplN U'hhtN0 anu I""N S>''N
corporations where a wholesome respect must be engendered by
a devotion to the public welfare, Public opinion and legislatN'
action must never again be bought and sold on the block. w
do not look for government ownership Of the railroads, but We
do look to the congress to enact such legislation as will provide
"A governmental supervision that will operate just as ettectNe,
in their regulation as though the roads were government owned
The congress should not delay the passage OF adequate leg'sla
ton on this subject.
The reference to his departure for the peace conference wa
very brief, but exceedingly we'll stated. The president has tn
distinction Of having formulated, in advance of the cessation c
hosilities, a program accepted by the allied nations by whic
peace could be obtained, He was the prime mover i'll this Sntel
prise. We are not able to understand the extent Of partisan
ship that controls those who would deny The United States fu
credit for its part in the monumental enterprise for the reaso
that Woodrow Wilson happens to be the spokesman for tn
nation. The preliminary meeting of the peace delegates will t
for the consideration Of the principles first expressed by tt
president and accepted by the allies. Naturally he feels a sen;
of personal obligation to see that they arc rantied. 1t IS M
Wilson'S business to see them through,
When the cry "Kamerad!" did not save them, the German
raised the cry of starving women and children in order to ga
time.