The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-19


from Mr.. Wilson they VIII have In
formation at first hand. Probably
few communities in the country have
places OF assembly large enough 10
contain all those who will wish to hear
him.
We give small credence to the re-
port that he Will meet congress and
the people ''in a fighting mood" The
president will go forth for exposition.
not for battle. President Roosevelt
used sometimes to appeal 20 the reo-
pie over the heads of congressi he was
a born fighter, loved fighting. and the
American people doubtless most ad-
mired him when he was in conba-
tive mood. Mr.. Wilson has no such
Unborn 10Y OF strife and the great duty
that awaits him will be better per-
formed in another way. To the prob
lens the council has to solve he has
given more attention than any other
American. His knowledge Of the
nature and the motives OF the peace
conditions imposed on Germany is
complete, the league OF nations cove
nant is largely his own work. 1t Is
about these things that Americans
wish to be informed. The president
has taken a wise resolve in deciding
10 so before them and tell them
frankly and fully what they want to
know about the terms Of peace and
the covenant, 10 communicate much
which was necessarily
withheld while the enormously diff
cult and delicate negotiations were in
progress.
The president has been attacked,
often with unseemly violence and in
manner that II seems to us. has some
times been unfair and from motives
that many times have been oues-
toned. Against such attack the de-
Tense of clenched teeth and the fist
pounding the table are always avail
4-lie. They are not the best weapons
at least, they are not the best for
this emergency. We have no shadow
of a doub. that when the American
people are put IN possession OF the
facts within Mr.. wilson's knowledge,
when they are made to understand,
as he will make them understand. the
views he has taken OF the peace
terms and OF the league covenant.
when the great plan and purpose of
the league OF nations is put before
them in his clear expository manner,
and when the immeasurable benefits
which enlightened statesmen and fair
reasonable men everywhere.
expect to flow from the league are
pictured forth to them, they VIII give
the president and his peace and league
policies a support SO overwhelming
and insistent that opposition wifi be
borne down and the ratification OF the
treaty with the league as an integral
part Of 1t will be made certain.
When the American people clearly
understand a question. their Judgment
does not go wrong Mr.. Wilson can
make them understand the treaty and
the covenant--no other man can do
it so well. II is his good fortune,
it is the good fortune OF the country
and of the world. that his qualification
for the task he rs to undertake Is I'M
equaled. His knowledge OF the sub
iect is complete, and the world has
had abundant evidence or hts extra
ordinary capacity to tell others what
he knows himself. There will be a
deal of buZzing in the senate this week.
the partisan opponents OF the presi-
dent may hasten decision adverse to
him. If the Joy they wifi have in
rejecting the treaty in advance is
really indispensable to their complete
happiness. they will do we'll to take
advantage of their opportunity while
II lasts. Their final decision will come
later. IT will be different.