The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-04

istration eventful for the great
changes in domestic policy 1t has
| wrought but the most conspicuous
| figure in a world at war, and referred
! to by such journals as the London Ma
tion as the leader of civilization" Re-
| form OF the tariff came only through
the personal effectiveness of the presi-
| dent in holding together his unwieldy
| majority in the house and his slender
majority in the senate. Reform in the
nations banking and currency so long
agitated, came as a result OF Mr.. Will
sons persistence again.
He kept congress in almost continu-
Gus session. He would not listen to
efforts made by democrats, as well as
republicans, to postpone considera-
ton. He forced through tariff law
and the great federal reserve system
in the first year OF his term. Many
acts legislation have been put on
the statute books since--child labor
laws workmens compensation acts,
the rural credits law and the farm
loan board-but none was so spectacu-
larly fought for as the tariff and the
federal reserve acts.
Handling Mexican Question.
International troubles came early.
Madero had been assassinated and
Huerta was in power in Mexico when
Mr. Wilson took office. The Mexican
revolution was in full swing. Resent
full that Mr.. Wilson sided with
liberalism instead of autocracy. MIR.
Huerta made trouble. War in Europe
came in August, 1914-Woodrow Will
son had been president only seventeen
months. He trod cautiously with re-
spect to Mexico. He was anxious that
America be kept from being involved
in the Mexican quarrel, with a large
army of occupation, as he was desir-
Gus that the United States would be
able TO serve stricken Europe in the
best way the future might direct. He
thought the entente allies would win,
that America would be ready to help
them recuperate by generous loans and
other aid.
But the cause OF democracy was In
danger. The Russian collapse tended
to give Germany a military advantage.
Germany threatened the new Russian
democracy and in her mad desire for
conquest brushed aside all considera-
tion for the rights of the great Ameri-
can democracy. Mr.. Wilson declared
that the world must be made safe for
democracy the world over. and Amer
lea went into the war eleven months
ago. But just a month before we en-
tered the conflict opinion was divided
had been broken on Feb. 3, but many
people believed IL would still be found
possible to make Germany modify her
submarine warfare.
Made Us Citizens OF World.
President Wilson's second inaugu-
raj address. made on March 5. 1917,
since March fell on a Sunday. gave
the first inkling that the president
shared the view that war was inevita-
BILE He said the tragic events OF the
thirty months OF vital turmoil through
which we had Just passed had made us
citizens of the world. There can be
no turning back: our own fortunes as
a nation are involved whether we
would have IL so or not / realize TO
the full the responsibility which ~ in
volved. ! pray God ! may be given
prudence TO do my duty in the true
spirit Of this great people. am their
servant and can succeed only as they
sustain and guide me by their conf
dence and their counsel.
"The thing | shall count upon. tho
thing without which no other counsel
nor action will avail. is the unity OF
America-America united in feeling. In
purpose and its version of duty. OF op-
portunity and OF service. United alike
in the conception Of our duty and In
the high resolve "a perform u in the
face OF all men. let US dedicate our
selves to the great task 10 which We
must now set our hand For myself
/ beg your tolerance, your countenanee