Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-30
The Real Wilson

OSEPH TUMuLTf, his secretary for ten
j years, has done a distinguished service
to America in lifting at least a corner OF
the veil which has hidden Woodrow Wilson
from the ultimate, personal gaze OF the ma
ton over which he presides and revealing
what manner of man the White House oc-
cupant really is. No one is better qualified
than Mr.. Tumulty to perform such a ma
tional service, for he has been the Presi-
dents trusted friend and confidential sec
rotary through his whole tenure Of Office as
chief executive, his relations to MIR. Wilson
dating back TO the time when the latter
was Governor of New Jersey. 1t may not
be doubted that in his intimate daily con-
tact with him he has come to know, more
accurately than any ono else can know,
Wilson the man as we'll as the President.
Mr.. Wilson, perhaps, has been more vari-
ously discussed, more surrounded by an air
OF popular mystery than any other OF our
Presidents. OF his personality, of his hui
man side, the public probably knows less
than OF any other Of Americas great mon.
He has been called cold, he has been dc
nounced for his aloCfncss, and because he
declined to descend to the level OF doing
presidential stunts" to attract the applause
of the gallery he has not been popular. lie
has been accused Of posing, OF affectation OF
cherishing an ambition to be raised TO a
pedestal before which his people might bow
down in reverential awe.
But air. Tumulty knows these things are
rs untrue as they are unjust, as cruel as
they are unreasonable. He has seen the
Presidents eyes flood with tears when it
fell to him to give an order that meant the
shedding Of blood. lie has seen him gricvc
and refuse 10 be comforted when he heard
the plauditS OF the multitude following his
historic war address. lie has seen him as
he bore i'll stern. sorrowful silence the count
less fings and barbed arrows OF prejudiced
criticism that recent years have brought TO
him, but from his lips he has heard no
word of reproach for the enemies who so
mercilcssly have pursued him. Under the
burdens that have been his, the secretary
has seen the strong, aggressive man become
the feeble, aged invalid who today occupies
his invalid's chair, his brilliant mind still
alert 10 the national welfare and the ma
tional honor.
1t is n moving picture that Mr.. Tumulty
draws OF this man who, from the depths Of
his great heart, wants his people 10 love
him but knows that they never will" The
pathos Of it! \ man who has swayed the
world. yet is denied the personal affection
that his whole being Graves. History will
give Mr.. Wilson his rightful place, but rec
osnition Of his great qualities and, above
all else, his human, personal side, probably
will come too late to bring to him even Il
need of comfort in partial payment OF the
mental pangs and physical suffering he has
endured. Mr.. Tumulty has made a laudable
beginning in revealing the real Woodrow
Wilson. and since he alone seems qualified
for the task he should feel it TO be his duty,
rs 40 doubt it will be his pleasur, TO go still
further, TO see that history does full justice
TO the man as we'll as the President.