The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-30

dent of the United States have stirred
and thrilled the world.
1t is above all else because he per-
sonities} America, being at once
.sFf,s e$trAst Agagi NYisiisie srn hcttfn@ns of
the American people. that the people
of Europe are now giving him such
state has ever received in these islands
before.
Opportunity Counts
But. If authority counts for much
in the making of a meteoric reputa-
ton. opportunity counts for more.
The men who achieve world fame in
a few years of their own lifetime are
those who have been borne along on
the world tide. 1t was so with Robert
Give when he swep. up from his
desk in the trading office in India. to
been aware of 1t. founder and father
of our Indian empire.
1t was so with the elder Pitt when.
caught up by a wave of colossal ego
tism. he declared in the darkest hour
England had Yet known, that he
! could save her and nobody else could
and then did it. being carried along
with his country on n mighty current
OF fortunate events which politicians
called luck and historians have called
chance. but which students OF the
laws of life known to have been the
roll Of the world waves which at
great moments of humane upheaval
sweep nations to the height of their
destiny and lift men who stand for
them TO dazzling eminence.
1t has been so with President Will
son and no previous American presi-
dent not even Lincoln, not yet
Washington. though both took the
hek, at the top OF the food and guild
ed their ship OF state through coast
shoals as difiicult as Wilson found in
his way. ever had the world tide so
sweepinsly with him. 1t was nearly
impossible to be president of the
United States during the past four
years and not become a world figure
after the war.
To say this lis to make no deduction
from the rightful reward of President
Wilson's captaincy. Perhaps there were
moments during the first two years
when some of US thought his vessel
was long in being launched and that
1t was even In danger OF being stuck
in the chocks. but once under weight
there could be no misgivings about her
fate. for she was built to the measure
OF the big waves In the periloua- ocean
she had to cross and her captain was
plainly on the bridge.
That he was the right man there and
10 other would have been right. no.
body in Europe whatever the feeling
in America) can have any doubt now
OF what made him right What quail
ties OF mind Of character OF heart or
temperament control to make him OF
all Americans. living or dead. precisely
the right man to carry his country
through this war? The question seems
hard. but the answer is simple.
Denies the Hardship.
In recent interview In the London
Times. President Wilson spoke of him
SELF as essentially Celtic and seemed to
account for something of his success In
the war by the inheritance Of a stead
last optimism combined with an nm
auenchable humor.
arm very sorry. but speaking AZ \
Cclt, feel compelled TO reject his ex-
plantation and deny myself his kinship.
as there is, as nearly as possible. moth
ing Of the celt in President Wilson and
there 10 only a half truth that In no
truth in his definition OF the dominant
Celtic characteristic.
As surely as Lloyd-George was the
right man for Britain just because he
was Celt and could keep our souls
alive in dark hours with hts heart Of
fire and tongue OF name. 10 surely will
son. II he had been Z Celk would
havesbeen the wrong naan tee Annerjoa
President Wilson ~ = tT1aa epn ~
=