Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-12-09
rur pprs,DtNTs vAIEpIcToRY.

THE PRESIDENTS VALEDICTORf.
President wilson's final message to congress
,,Jo bts first message to that body in that it
;s devoted almost exclusively to domestic aha'fs'
The President started out to be a home ADMIN
,strator. The affairs OF the world concerned MIN
only indirectly. 1t was great problems OF TINS ma
,ion that he set out TO tackle and his schieVe-
ment along that line is now a matter OF history
Rsfore President Wilson had been In once a
wear the nation had on its statute books some Oh
the most constructive legislation that mas ever
been enacted. The most notable, perhaps was
the federal reserve act which has been the saI-
walton OF the country in a financial way all
through the great crisis OF the last nve or SIX
wars. What the Wilson administration wouid
have accomplished in the way Of domestic iesis-
lation had not the world war interviewed can
onIy be surmised. That the President with MS
~rst ability, had set out with a definite pro-
rrarn 10 known. It IL we'll that he accomplish
al a much as he did at the very outset.
But from a program made up largely OF
domestic affairs, the administration was called
70 devote almost rs entire attention to foreign
relations. we have fought q great war. Two
million American soldiers have carried the stars
ana stripes to European bsttlehelds. We have
plsyed a leading part in the negotiations Of d
<rest peace. We have seen a League of Nations
horn. In all OF these things President Wilson
has had a leading part.
Now his administration is drawing to a close.
oh. world u trying to get back to normal after
M great upheaval. The President, too, takes
I'D the problems Of home once more and directs
the attention OF congress to them. Whatever
excuse there might have been on the part Of
- -.LI ~. 20 do nothinr in the wav OF tax
reform, adopting a budget system and other
wise bringing about greater economies In the
government in the belief that a Democratic
President. would veto such measures is swept
away by the Presidents message. He offers
hearty cooperation.
Even Preadent-elect Harding, in his farewell
TO the senate, urges that the few remaining
weeks Of the present congress be not wasted. 1t
Is up to congress, then. to get busy and give the
country what it most needs in the way of tax
reform legislation. There is no time like the
present to begin.
* 1t is a fitting farewell that the President gives
/sress in this the last Of his formal addresses
90 that body. The theme Is an appeal FOR
democracy and for the American nation to
show how a true democracy can function.
Accused Of being a great autocrat, history Will
show Woodrow Wilson to be among the greatest
Of Democrats. No President has ever had a
greater faith in the power of the people. Faith
il the keynote OF the whole message. 1t starts
with quoting Abraham Lincoln's immortal
words: "Let us have faith that right makes
might, and in that faith let us dare to do our
duty as we understand it,"
Democracy" the President says. is an asser-
lion OF the right Of the individual TO live and
10 be treated justly as against any attempt on
the part OF any combination Of individuals to
make laws which will overburden him or which
will destroy his equality among his fellows in
the matter of right or privilege. and ! think we
all realize that the day has come when democ-
3acy is being put upon its final test"
In conclusion. then, the President says:
~ have not so much laid before you a series
OF recommendation. gentlemen, as sought 10
utter a confession OF faith. Of the faith which !
was bred and which 1t is my solemn purpose to
stand by until my last lighting day. I believe
this to be the faith OF America, the faith OF the
future. and OF all the victories which await ma
tional action in the days TO come. whether in
America or elsewhere"
No more fitting valedictory could be given b!
q man who has served as President of the United
States through eight of the most momentuous
years this nation has ever experienced.