South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-03

white House. washington, D. C..
Dear Mr. President:
You viii probably never see this letter but
$4,000 readers wilI-that being the estimated num-
Der Of readers of paper Of $4,000 circulation
Thank as for calling your attention to the num-
Der of our subscribers It may not interest you at
first flush but it does indicate something Of the
number OF people in this community, who just as
you are retiring to- private life, viii, are sure
indorse every word herein uttered. 1t is letter,
i'm that respect from the entire News-Tmes sphere
OF influence which you have helped greatly, a
national and world leader. TO enhance
would that some person representing might
cau upon YOU say these things personally. That
however. is impossible; besides realize that at
this time you would rather that he would not even
IL he could. What we would like to do frst-and
not only ON behalf of this $4,000 readers of ours
but of the whole American people-would be to
WHISPER it TO you gently that if the American people
knew of any way i'm which they could bid you n
courteous farewell and Godspeed without acknowl-
edgiug they were sorry what they did to you in
November they would like to DO it.
Tho majority of the American people indi-
Gated by their votes win welcome the incoming
guest but they have been known to speed the
PARTING occupant Of the nations executive mansion
by metaphorcally kicking him down stairs. at other
times than this.
Howard Taft as he disappeared down the white
house walk on the day you entered. eight years
ago; ana he vas good loser, and has shown him
self IN these eight years man and genteman,-
though somewhat wabby when times he be-
came desirable to subordinate principle to parti-
sanship
You viii have to excuse the American people Mr..
wilson for e. certain brusqueness in such matters.
We shall learn better manners some day.
Nor are the American people sorry you are leav-
ing They think you have made some grave mistakes
but including those who voted against YOU they are
not oblivious to the pathetic aspects of your de-
rarture. i'm large measure born of a conjured hys-
tcria and hate and you are leaving with their sin
cere desire for your comfort in your remaining
years.
You are planning to write history of your ad-
rainistration and to dedicate your remaining years
TO world peace. DO not spend too much ink in try
ing to explain. You won't Just tell US the story of
it as you know it, You viii tell it in good English,
pounding it cut on your typewriter, and may we
not hope that you can use both hands.
You went down from Jerusalem to Versailles, and
fen among thieves Tell us the story of it; the
American people viii believe you, and viii appre-
eiate little better the difficulties of your situation.
one noble thing did in that trying situation, you
rebuized the schemiug plots of other nations with
-our own and Americas idealism.
People smile at YOU Mr.. Wilson, for your ideal
ssr but let them smile America pretense TO the
contrary Notwithstanding is a nation of idealists
The historian will laud YOU for that very idealsm
When your country went TO war, YOU were able TO
define her purpose i'm terms of conscience and duty
vr. did fl sun erby. Air. Wilson. No other man on
This side of the ocean could have done it so We'll
and no man ON the other side could have done 1t
at ail. Your country is proud of the way YOU did
IT, in spite of poisoned sneers and Will be still more