The daily Alaska citizen., 1919-08-13
PRESIDENT AND SENATE
(NcW \ Ork Globe. ]

he Is a mere human being and one who has been under a great strain for many months, was no more than we might have expected. It did not present as forcibly as it might all the arguments in favor of the league of nations, and this also could have been predicted. \ es- terdav's address was aVOWcdIy no more than predatory: the President had already announc ed that he would put himself completely at the disposal of the senate and would give them all the information he has. meeting them un- der conditions of their own choosing. In these circumstances 1t was unfair to expect him to do more than state the broad thesis upon which he bases his request for ratitl- cation of the treaty with the league cover ant included in it.
 It is true that Mr. Wilson said little that we did not already know; that he failed to get down to the concrete facts of the world Stu2- tion preferrng to state the issue in abstract terms of moral justice and AmeriCa's spiritual obligations; yet these very aspects Ot his ad- dress. irritating as they are to the man whose mind is hungry for practical realities, in themselves constitute tribute to the senate. If the upper house were composed solely o1 serious, intelligent men, who will not let base prejudice or partisan emotion sway them III great national crisis, the address delivered yes terdav would be an entirely adequate intro- duCtOn to their consideration of a mOmcntOuS problem The President taCity assumed in all his remarks that the senators are Ot sui ficient intelligence to know the immenSity Ot the problems which confronted the peace con ference He assumed them to be impcrvious to the emotional appeal of mere oratory Fle took it for granted that if he can prove the course he urges is right and wise he need do nothing more to insure the aCquiesCenCc OI the senate in it.
 These assumptions in regard to the ninety-sx men composing the senate today are rather broad, but it is impossible to see what other attitude we could have expected from the President of the United States No one can deny, moreover, that he made his point past all dispute-that the peace conference has un- dertaken a great work which cannot possibly survive without the instrumentality of the league That work was necessary, he main tains to establish the rule of deCenCy and jus ticc in the world. He believes that if the sen ate understands that this attempt will almost certainly fail without the aid of the United States 1t cannot and will not act other than m accord with the dictates of its conscience.
 Coming fresh from this atmosphere O1 clearcut judgments on right and wrong, It is disappointing to find that the comment on the address, both among senators and in the press, seems to be merely the mechanical pro- duct of partisanshp The leaders of our dem ocracy having divided themselves into two camps, they cheer or hiss turn thumbs up or down. en masse, and on signal. If we are to live up to what is expected from Us at this moment in the worlds history we ought not to resemble the cheering sections at a football game Or has the war left as it's aftermath herd instinct which precludes the possibility of honest and candid discussian based solely on the facts at hand?
 Speaker Gillett is reported to have 'gent ly reproved' the Rev. Henry N. Couden, the blind chaplain of the house of representatives, because in the regular ''line of duty' he pray ed for the league of nations. Mr. Gillett questioned the proprety of a petition for cause which was "subject of political con troversy" The speakers objection recalls the famous declaration by Champ Clark that 'prayers and politics don't mix" Mir. Clark was himself presiding officer of the house when he spoke, and he, too, was referring to Or. Coud@n. He was, however, protesting asoinst the proposed deposition of the chap la;n by the democratic spoilsmen who had just gained control of congress. His remarks i 4l. ..1- l1-