The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-03-05
ruE CLOSE or AN EZRA.

TIIE CLOSE or AN ERA
An rr, 600 American history has closed. Aud
6. closes amid 'ho rl,uditg ~ tho multitude not
because of Irs achievements. but because It is at
nm ord We doubt If woodrow wilson's place
lo history WIN over Boz fyol beyond dispute. for
20 cyou suggest tho uomc a to invite contro-
vorss Hut this much can he snld-and there
are elements of fano In hsi-hs admiuiHra-
ton was so opposed 20 al which had gone he
fore g. ro completely reversed by that which
followed. tha, % constitutes an era IN Itself.
The world has been an aggressive critic ~
The wilson administration. yet 81 feels no pref
udice against tho man m he passes into private
mo. and us attempt 70 present estimate of
his contributions 20 tho history ~ America Il
digpa.dounte sincere and free from guile
There are those who in the blind infatuaton
NJ the moment, pretend 10 believe TINT tho
narnc ~ woodrow Wilson will loom large In
history beside the names of Washington. Lin
coin. Cleveland and Roosevelt We cannot share
that vlcw. BECAUSE our philosophy OF govern
mont will not permit if.
You will search the pages Of written history
in vain In an effort 20 discover one who IL given
much space or considerable credit for mere
purity NJ purpose high ambition; for In his
tory. AZ elsewhere. the laurel wreath goes to
him who succeeds. not TO him who merely
dreamed and attempted 10 make an impossible
dream come true. Just as tho line OF demarcation
between revolution and rebellion is exceedingly
dim. 30 also 10 the line which separates the biz
zarre and grotesque attempts Of highest pur-
pose from tho Rlorificd achievement OF unque--
toned sclflshnoss.
To those who assert that woodrow Wilson
won lasting place In tho han OF the immor-
tails by merely dreaming a dream OF world peace
and attempting TO make that dream come true.
must anBwcr that he also bears the odium OF
having attempted TO subvcrt natonalism and
fare forth in the cause OF Christ armed with
the dcspicablc implements Of the partisan poll
tican.
Aud instantly an admonitive finger Is pointed
to tho tones OF history with an invitation 20
search there for single character given the
crown who did not stand At the head OF hia
people with sword In hand for the defense OF
national aspirations and national honor. Wilson
did strive for high IDEAL; and TO that service
he brought matchless lip service adorned
with the gems Of rhetoric and fine phrase. But
not oven his skill could deceive; and tho acts
Of supreme sclfshness and boundless ambl-
ton; the debaslng practices OF the narrow poll
tlcian: the autocrato gestures OF tho despotlc
covenanter to say nothing OF the impractical ct-
forts OF the lngepurposed fanatic. dlmmcd
the lustcr OF the attempt and made ludlcrous tho
cross which his imperial encourage floated above
his head
4 modern John the Baptist in the habilimcnts
OF Hnkey Dnk proclaimed by Burleson
Baker and McAdoo A national leader adyocat-
ing pacifsm as a national virtue and patriotism
as n national vice; willing to trado his peoples
birthrght for mess OF pottage; too proud 20
fight In national defense, yet ready enough 10
fight like fanatlcal Dcrvish the aspirations OF
his own pcoplc--if the future historian gains his
own consent TO cannonge such character In tho
history OF America new day will indeed have
dawned, and postcriy will reject such historian,
We leave to others 20 excuse. 20 Justify 20
condono by an absurd attempt to cxtol nero
purity OF purpose For ourselves we consider
effect. leaving cause to those who feel impclled
60 hold brief for the defense.
At his passing the nation that honored him
broathos n sign OF relief. It may not know what
the Immediate future holds tor II, but 1t Is CON
tent TO hazard the risk In tho conviction that
anything will be preferable to the night
experiences OF tho past half decade
Into his retirement Mr. Wilson goes without
prejudice. There are none but wish him we'll
The nation never had such leader before May
God in his infinite mercy save It from another
suchi