The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-05-06
WHY LEONARD WOOD
FOR PRESIDENT

OeHtTdI Leonard WOOQ formally con-
SCENTS to the use of his name as a Pres
idential candidate
The question may thus now be
asked, Why Wood?" What reasons
justify his candidacy? What claims
has he on the consideration Of the
American people?
In the way of giving honoring testi-
mony where it seems richly due these
things may be said: He has earned
a place as a great national figure; he
has shown the rare quality called
vision; he has been a doer through
out a crowded life, and his repute
acter whose soundness and beauty
have endured many searching tests.
General Wood belongs to no state
or section. 1t happens he was born
amid the Cape Cod folks of Massa-
chusetts, but is at home anywhere in
American New Mexico as much as
in New York, in South Carolina as
much as in Illinois. He is big enough
to be seen across the continent, and
is not called on to ask for support as
a favorite son.
General Wood has vision-that in
stinctive quality by which some men
sense the future and its problems. In
1902 he attended the maneuvers of the
German Army. The Kaiser thought
his quiet, unfiatterable visitor was dull
was not aware that his keen mind
had clearly pierced the Kaiser's Sc
cret. A danger threatened America
and the world and General Wood saw
1t. He refused the Order OF the Black
Eagle, but subsequently accepted
decoration from France. Other men
were blind. Let us rejoice he was
not.
The vision guided him. Two unfor
gettable things he contributed to win
ming the war. He laid the foundations
Of the public opinion that brought con-
scription promptly, and he was the
father Of the Plattsburg idea He en-
dured the reproach OF being mill
tarist to secure the one, and pushed
the other despite the frantic threats
of the Administration. Except for con
scription and the Plattsburg prepare
ton Of officers the 100000 Americans
would scarcely have arrived in time
Princeton University paid merited
tribute when it conferred a degree and
said:
ain our defenseess state he has
sounded the reVeIle TO awaken a
sIumbering nation from its dream Of
security, bidding US rise and take our
place like men to save our freedom
and help to save the freedom of the
world"
AS a doer General Wood revealed
himself when he was administrator of
Cuba, and later of the Philippines. His
repute is international His achieve
ments are compared to those of Crom-
er and Miner. Tact, foresight, pa
tience, business judgment, imagination
and sympathy-these elements were
mixed in him and won him the conf
dence OF proud but backward peoples.
Touching the character Of the man
only one incident need be mentioned
In July 1918. his division. the seth,
reached the port of debarkation. The
generals baggage was aboard when
an order came from Washington re-
lieving him of command There was
almost mutiny. He called his Off
GERS together and said to them: 81
am going back TO Camp Funston to-
morrow, where | shall give the best
that is in me to the training OF the
new troops. Do not concern yourselves
with my case, but get your mind on
the war. II you would please me play
your part cheerfully, and well-that
means when in action never fail to
take your objective. and never be late
on your objective"
It's the way, as Kipling has told us,
man takes ''facer' that proves his
stuff Should General Wood reach the
White House we may be sure there
will be a man there with ruggedness
of character equaling that Of the most
illustrious of his predecessors.-Ed
N Y Tribune.