El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-25
ARE. WE BECOMING A NATION OF
TO OUR PRESIDENT?

n-oDAv The Herald presents resume Of comment from
nevspaper Of all political compilations upon the VII
sonLansing affair This is the biggest upheaTal IN Pc
atica party the United States IN many yeaI-eten
more sensational than the WilsonBTyan episode OF rev
years ago-and It IS also big because It has TURNER 81
afficance than difference between party isausls
eua Of its bearing upon the condition OF the president
nv raise the point that It indicates his neapacty 10
perform the duties devolvng upon his nigh olilces
courv has viewed the affair with deep interest some OF
tie comment is favorable to the president but most OF II
IS IN criticism Of his action
Whatever the truth of the whole affair." the president IS
mt IN light altogether in his favor Hls dismissal
al secretary Lansing shows the other Of two things
IS is deoeitful OF he regards himself monarch II the
season he gave for asking Mr. Lansings resignation vas
M the tine cause Of the breach. he has attempted to de-
ve the nation: If the secrearys sole offence was his e
80 ~ - b vbeels of the government running smoothly
funq the presidents Illness Mr.. Wilson has shown mat
be usoes himself above his country; that he considers MS
roututionsy provided advisers mere puppets ana tnal
te is the government
4 The eyes Of his counrymen and to force the conclusion
thai M Wilson has lost his mental faculties to degree
that makes him unsafe leader It IS difficult TO con
i ffa+ any sane nan would expect the wheels Of gov
eminent 10 sop because its chief incapactated II IS
lust as hard to believe that the president Of the United
States his right mind, would dismiss his cher ADVISER
No voice has been raised in defence of the presidents
latest blunder His staunchest friends are silent me
en who have fought his batea IN and out OF congress
ree TO realize che gravity Of Mr. Wilson's offence ano
hsv appear unwilling TO commit political suicide BY even
offering excuses for him
anet designations If this is tue It IS because the de-
parment heads Of tie government realize that they are
tiuv cers that they must have minds Of their own
SINE nav remain patriotic motives, subnnergng their
self respect in the belief that they can help tide the gov
uuent over its present peIs But they continue N
a II rst be with the clear understanding that al that
s. required Of them the performance Of their routine de-
psrtmental duties.
If Mr. Lansing as ranking member Of the cabinet com
united an offence in calling his associates together tor n
formal conferences during the period Of the president
illness those attended the meetings shared II his CUNT
TIER natural place IN the controversy is the side OF the
retiring secretary Of state No doubt the synpahles OF
an Of them are with Mr Lansing, but they Ieaze tney
ust keen silent quit the cabinet No blame could be
rtaced TO them If they resigned but the country VII mol
censre them they refuse to abandon the ship Conlnu
snce Of service BY them viii not be regarded as approval
81 The presidents course; rather the country VIII be IN
cned to take the charitable view that for the national
ROOD they are Wiling to overlook the insult which al OF
them have received
No one questions M Wilson's right to have cabinet
Of his Own choosing If members Of his cabinet olsagree
with the presidents policies II is their PLAIN duty to step
re n the interests Of harmony and if they do not vol
ntsri resign the president IS justified N asking them te
AZ So But there be justification for becouolng the
issue No subterfuge needed If honest differences OF
6Dnion existed between M Lansing and his chief me
ctrv looks TO its president 70 set example OF ian
dealing and there be forgiveness II It IS shown tal
=r Wilson used the unauthorized cabinet meeting incident
Is cloak TO hide the real for ousng his secretary
81 state.
The presidents exaggerated view Of his Own powers re-
teas another paradox Two years ago We looked TO mn
Is the champion Of democracy, the worlds bltteres
enemy Of despotc rule Today he assumes the role Of
dictator whose advisers are his servants whose people are
Il TIE nations sincere hope that, with the restora
tcu Of health president VIII be able to remember thai
he is the servant Of the American people, not their master