The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1920-11-12

present time. .... .... 49,. .
| Woodrow Wilson is a builder His
mind is constructive. and under his
direction there was, during his first
| term as President, the greatest record
of constructive legislation in any four
years of our cOuntry's history.
Il saw arise under his direction and
leadership the establishment of the
Federal Reserve System, the revision
OF the tariff, the establishment Of ru-
raj credits, enactment into law of the
nonpartisan tariff commission, the en-
enlargement of pan Americanism. the
great reaches Of Alaska opened up to
commerce and development, the dollar
diplomacy destroyed, corrupt Hobbies
driven from the nations capital the
Federal Trade Commission created
child labor Legislation enacted. the
parcel post and rural free delivery de-
veloped, good roads bin passed eight
hour laws adopted. the Smith Lever
bill for improvement of agricultural
conditions enacted into law, the ware
house act passed. Federal employment
bureaus created, the workmep's com
pensatiOn act put into force and the
greatest war in all history brought to
a successful conclusion under his in
spring leadership.
Il saw him firmly hold our nation in
neutrality in most trying circumstances
Of the World War. ! know how his
heart famed against the Outrages
which Germany was committing. but
he knew the responsibilities of his
office and he knew better than anyone
else that the general mind OF America
was not prepared for war.
"He hoped even against hope that
the United States might be able to
serve tn" cause Of justice and 'democ-
raCy as a mediator between the con
tendcnts. At last came the direct
challenge from Germany. the an
nOunccmont. in direct violation of sol
rinc warfare.
emn pledges, of unrestricted subma-
april 6. 1917. President Wilson rode
to the Capitol and read. amid wild
cheers from the floor and galleries.
the great war message. one Of the i'm
mortal documents Of history. which
will continue to be read through ages,
read as long as the English language
remains living tongue. II will be read
as long as men love liberty, have faith
in justice. and respect human rights.
on that fatefuI day rode with him
back from the Capitol to the White
House" the echo of the applause still
ringing in my ears For a while he
WAS silent and pale in the Cabinet
room. At last he said:
Think what it was they were APP
plaudiug It means death for our
young men. How strange 1t seems to
applaud that
My friends, that simple remark is
one key to an understanding of Wood
Row Wilson.
'All politicians pretend to hate and
dread war. but Woodrow Wilson really
hates and breads IL in all of the tibcrs
,Of hts human soul, hates II and breads
It because he has an imagination and
a heart, an Imagination which shows
his, sensitive perception Of the an
guish and the dying which war en-
tails. Il heart which yearns and aches
over every dying soldier and bleeds
afrcsh with each new made wound.
when word came. back in 1918,
that a German vessel, laden with NUM-
tions was on its way to Mexico Pres
dent Wilson was in telephone com
munication with Secretaries Bryan
and Daniels. After the situation had
been stated over the telephone the
voice came back clear and firm:
Order Admiral Mayo to take Vera
Cruz at once ! was on the telephone
at the time and listened to the con-
versatiOn that took place between the
President and Secretaries Bryan and
Daniels. Just before | cut off the con-
nection | saba word to the President
about the tragedy OF 1t all. His voice
responded, no longer clear, but muffled,
as when one chokes back a sob:
What do you think of it, Tumulty?
1t means death. II breaks my heart,
but it must be done
You will recall that some of our
marines were killed at Vera Cruz
When the news came the President
was abnormally quiet all day. He vert
about his business methodically. with
his usual clear judgment and prompt
decisions. but that night he sat silent
for a long time.
AT last he said: I cannot get it off
my heart. II had to be done. 1t was
right. nothing else was possible, but
cannot forget that 1t was | who had to
order those young men to their deaths.