New-York tribune., 1919-11-15
A Great American
Wilson Viewed as the Peer Of
Washington and Lincoln
o the Editor Of The Tribune.


Sir: Woodrow Wilson needs no
npologist. and in spite Of the wa-;.,ed
political bias Of your edito-,T -.,t-
umns The Tribune is still s-.. rate
paper. To illustrate: Unocy your head
ing God Give Us Men" you might have
stated, "He gave us Woodrow Wilson
during our greatest crisis"
America played its greatest role
under his guidance and inspiration
Our war effort was nothing short Of
being a'miracle. Through our inter
yention at the wars critical monon.
we turned the tide against the in
sidious menace that Germany cast upon
civilization.
The principles and Ideals enunciated
by Mr.. Wilson fred the enthusiasm
and patriotism Of the whole Allied
cause. His declarations spread dis.
sension among the enemy. He had no
private motives, nor did he ask any
special advantages for his country.
The stamp Of simple sincerity and
plain justice pervaded his every utter
ance.
The enemy capitulated upon his
terms after they had been approved
by our allies. These principles, a.
formulated by the famous fourteen
points, provided the foundation for
firm and enduring peace. The fact tha.
they were not adhered to by the peace
conference certainly does not detrace
from their merit OF that of the author
In a recent editorial you have ac-
cused the President Of making the
wrong decision on every occasion since
the armistice. Quite The contrary is
true. His decision to attend the peace
conference was not a mistake. Stand
ing alone as the only unselfish cham
pion of right, he accomplished wonders
il. the face of hostility and sneering
associates. He could not do the impos-
sible by achieving all his purposes, so
re was forced to compromise
1t was inevitable that he should lose
prestige, under the circumstances, in
the minds of the ignorant or preju-
diced. But the net result of his per-
sonality was distinct gain " the
sort of peace that was finally agreed
TO- The league of nations idea would
have fallen through except for his in
sistence. The league will justify itself
in the years TO come. despite its pres
ent-day critics.
You say he had no policy Except
for a policy of business and an open
mind. you are right He had no
Interior motives or scheming designs.
Is that also to be scored against him?
Woodrow Wilson is the greatest man
America ever produced as an exponent
Of our ideals and institutions. He has
interpreted our faith to the world as
it has never been propounded before.
The only doubtful charge against him
j.; that he is ahead of mis- time There
are many who are not yet ready for
his teachings
Under his Presidency we have earned
the respect and gratitude of the entire
world. Of course, We have enemies
who cannot conceive OF such altruism
on the part of a nation. But they are
a minority, for to-day the United
States is a symbol of justice and free
dom wherever an American is known
Contemporary history may not give
Mr. Wilson his just due, but future
historians will rank him on d par with
Washington and Lincoln, II not their
peer. Washington was beset by d.
vided counsel in his day; Lincoln was
ridiculed in his day; so to-day Wilson
is being assai ed Christ, the greatest
of all mortals, was crucified. The
masses are always .ow to respond to
true greatness.
WM S. SCHAEFER.
Westtield, N. j., Nov II, 1919.