Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-17
= HE Presidents enemies on CapitoI HiIl


are revealing themselves in a singu-
n larly ungracious light. Not content
with the bitterest of partisan attacks upon
his policies, they have taken to the
meanest OF gossip concerning his personal
condition. The average American, regard
less of politics, feels regretful and ANXIOUS
when the nations Chief Magistrate is ILL., par
ticularly at time SO fraught with moment
Gus issues as the present; and so feel the
great majority of the Senators, Democrats
and Republicans alike. they are heehly
sympathetic in Mr.. Wilson'S enforced absence
from his great duties and would count IL
privilege to aid in speeding his recovery. buC
there is a little Senatorial group whose hatfed
is SO waspish and whose spirit is so petty that
they ignore not only the prOprieties but even
the decences of the situation, ignore the
statements given out by the White House phy-
sicians; ignore the simplest caution OF Judg-
ment and speech which persons regardtul Of
the truth should ever exercise; and with
reckless malice proceed to spread rumors that
the President is hopeleSsly inCapacltated IN
body and mind,
1t is hard for the rank and file of the
American people, respecting honor and loving
fair play as they do, to see how member on
the Senate could bring himself to the point
of injecting political and personal spleen into
President Wilson's misfortune. Here is
leader who has spent his strength to the ut
most in graphing the gravest problems of in
claims the foremost American of his time,
and whom just minds everywhere recognize
as one of the master statesmen of all his
tory. Fatigued to exhaustion by the ire
mendOus burdens which have been laid upon
him, not only during the war period but
throughout his administration, and which he
has borne with truly marvellous strength and
skill, he was ordered to bed by his physician,
and there he has remained for a trife more
than fortnight, taking complete rest as the
surest and speediest means of regaining
health. That he was a seriously sick man at
first, both DR.. Grayson and the consulting
specialists frankly announced. But there
was never reason for miscOnstruing their can
did statements, nor for disregarding their
later bulletins which reported Mr.. Wilson as
steadily improving. The doctors naturally
refrained from dignifying silly tales by deny
ing them. But there was no suspicious
silence or undue reserve to support in any
wise such rumors certain Senators given to
backstalrs gossip set going. Mr.. David Law
renee, whose sources OF information are
broad and reliable and whose word is unim-
peachable, writes from Washington: MANY
correspondents have been taken into the con-
hdence Of the White House on the Presi-
dents condition and there isn't the slightest
warrant for the suggestion that Mr.. Wilson
has suffered any cerebral lesion or that based
on anything that has yet developed, he will
be 1ncapacitated mentally when he does get
out OF bed" Any Senator could have as
certained as much if he had taken pains TO
inquire. Yet we hear of one member of the
splenetlc ring of gossipers calling newspaper
men to his office and telling them "to be sure
to put it into their articles that the Presi-
dent was out of his mind
SUCH is the conscience, such the ethics,
Such the patriotism of Senators who would
ratner see the war renewed than see peace
made secure through policies of Woodrow
Wilson, and who (if we are to Judge nv their
conduct) would not greatly regret a. disaster
TO the nation if only it came in the form of
disaster to the President. So contemptible.
VI perhaps II were truer to say so pitiable an
attitude was never before exhibited anonpet
nen pretending to represent the States and
the people OF this Union. PitiabIe indeed is
ne VINO is so envious of noble achievement
and so blinded by churlish politics that he
sees none OF the greatness of President Will
; 2Un anu Ieels no generous sympathy in the
nlness which has befal1en the nations chief
Huch a spirit would sit we'll on the com
nahoer OF Prussian submarine, but if iii
becomes United States Senator. If is tboir
Tlght TO light the Peace Treaty and the
ns" e, OF NATIONS to the bitter end, provid-
ca they hight fairly and honorablv. II is
tHelr prefogatlVe to argue and vote for n
course OF action that would aIienate us frono
our oeSC friends among the nations and nIease
none out Germany. But thew have NO rioh+
P d. Lalntest warrant or excuse, to use the
PRESIDENTS illness for despicahIv eo1fsb
propaganda. Such tactics are NOT on1T I,r
SPOrtSmanllke, they are dishonorahIa and
loyal country. 0"'0u NY
% me me american people are indeed soIicitous
~ 49, tne!r PRESIDENTS health. They do not
MN the seriousness of nervous eTbanS '
of cdon tbo Ihey fully appreciate the importance
- me thorough rest which his nhvcicio,,
nave prescribed. But for these yerv rooro-l2
10 NO. they resent the attitude of a poIjtician
VINO would capitalize such a situation fnn
p@rtlsan ends They know what hiqb iss, 10
a at thni on the man who has stood SC greatly
stanf WEN n9,n + OF State; and it is their con-
49, prayer mat he may be restored fu11v
anu speedily to his wonted vigor l"il'