The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1918-06-14
PRESIDENT WILSON
BEFORE CONGRESS-
How the Scene Impressed a Pa
nous Irish Legislator.
By T. P. o'coNNoR NJ. P.
iFrom the Washington Posi-

resentatives when President
wilson made his address to Con-
gress on Monday. It was very
novel and interesting to me.
In everything | saw the diff
ference Of spirit which lies be-
hind your institutions and ours.
The occasion, / recall, which
bears some resemblance to what
Ii saw yesterday, in the British
parIiment, was their opening by
the late King Edward. Those
who love show, certainly would
have preferred the British cere-
mony; and of course there was
much that was interesting in the
uniforms, the ancient cere-
monies, the historic officials. I
acknowledge that | preferred
Monday, and especially because
/ saw in it that utter simplicity,
unpretentiousness and reality
which are the fundamental quail
tiles of the American outlook on
life. Personally / have no love
for uniforms or big wigs or.
trailing robes; l preferred the
stern simplicity of Monday. |
liked to see the judges of your
Supreme Court appear just in
ordinary garb; and even the
Congressman lounging in their
seats in the airy garments suit
able to this fierce heat, all APP
pealed to me as symptoms Of the
equality of the Republic.
Twas surprised to see two quite
small children seated among the
members on the floor of the
floor of the House. | assume they
were brought there by their
father. Such a thing would be
impossible in either Of our par
limentary chambers; it gave a
deliciously human touch. There
was at one moment a majesty
and even awe amid all the sim
plicity Of the proceedings. II
was when the official announc-
ed the entrance Of the Vice
President and the Senate Of the
| United States. Behind the sim.
ple words my inner vision saw
this vast, powerful, astounding
country just as De Quincy in his
opium dreams was haunted by
, the form of the Roman consu
. who passed from far off territor
! les through the streets of Rome
in the triumphal procession.
/ felt another thrill when tn
moment approached for the en-
trance of the President. All a
round me / could realize tn
the expectancy and the palpita
d lions of the great audience abou
r to catch sight of the ruler VIII
stood for their many millions Q
o population, for their mighty ei
# fort and sacrifice; and who, 0
the gigantic stage Of the worl
@ tragedy of today, stands fort
as the foremost, most powerful
most inspiring on the one han
: and most dreaded figure on til
: other. And then appeared tn.
man with almost superhuma
powers and responsibilities ar
behold | saw just a simple, r
fined, carefully but modest
dressed gentleman who, exec
in his dignity of bearing and h
impressive features, was not
ing more than an ordinary Gil
zen. Here was the symbol al
representative of power great
than that Of any potentate
earth; mightier even than tn
of the car before his dethron
ment; the arbiter who has to d
Icide the fate Of millions, and
deed in some senses, the MOI
dictator Of the world of tod
and the final factor in turnil
the balance Of all generations
come to the side Of right or
wrong; and yet there he WI
just an unpretentious, mode