Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-18
THURSDAY. MARCH is, 1872
WILSON SHOULD MAKE
SACRIFICE.


Everybody now knows that Pres
ident Wilson is not physically able
TO bear the burdens of the eXecu-
tive office, even though his mind is
brilliant, as it evidently is, judging
from his written utterances, But
no man in his state of health can
keep on an even keel all of the
time. The letters he wrote to Sec
rotary Lansing were peeyish eN-
pressionS of an invalid, who, under
more normal conditions, would.
have removed the secretary OF
state in a conventional manner.
The president is doubtless entire
" conscientious in believing that 1t
is his duty to remain in office, es-
pecially while the treaty of peace
is still up in the air. But there are
many men. even in his own party,
who say it would be best for the
executive to withdraw and let Vice
President Marshall serve at least
for the present.
The opinion is growing that MI.
Wilson knows now that he will be
entirely unequal to the demands OF
candidacy for the presidency dur
ing the coming campaign, and has
nj last released other aspirants
from standing back to await his
own intentions. This being the
case. asto political leadership, how
much more incumbent it is upon
him to turn over the labor Of the
executive office TO a man physically
equal to the great task.
The press of the country and
political antagonists of all parties
have been very courteous and con-
siderate, even when politically at
lacking President Wilson, refrain
ing almost entirely from stressing
the serious condition of the Off
riaI who has for many months
been unable to permit even his
cabinet members to talk with him.
An executive of any great cor
poration, or industry, so disabled
and in daily danger Of worry bring
inc on another stroke, would resign
from his position by order Of a
musician, or would be retained
through courtesy while another
would be assigned to perform the
work. There is no corporation
with such important matters re-
curing immediate attention as the
president of this country needs to
act upon. But he is not permitted
TO consider or act upon man or
these. Mr.. Wilson, in his con-
demnation Of Secretary lansing,
practically took the position that
If he was not personally able to
attend TO government business, the
leading officers Of the government
ought not to meet to plan for the
country's welfare. That meant that
the country must drift on without
executive action at a most critical
period.
The country does not blame Mr..
Wilson for falling sick, as his mis-
fortune resulted from anxiety and
campaigning. But for IA months
he has been either sick, in Europe,
or travelling, and consequently UNI
able to give the right attention to
needed reconstruction legislation.
1t may be II months more before
the country will have a president
fully able to undertake the ire
mendous tasks of tn office.
The American people need a man
who is physically strong, well able
to take intense strain. The time
when Mr. Wilson could give such
service has gone.
There seems to be but one COM
nonsense course that should be
pursued, and that is for the presi-
dent TO retire, at least until he may
be able, without danger of further
collapse, to resume full activity.
Mr.. Wilson could add to the high
opinion the people long ago formed
of him and his desire to be of
great service to his country, if he
would now make a personal sacri-
flee; and break a precedent by an
nouncing that it is best to release
his position to the man the country
elected to serve as president in case
of the inability of the executive.