The Washington herald., 1921-03-05
WILSON PRESENTS
PATHETIC FIGURE
AS REGIME ENDS
Americas War President
Passes, Broken But
Fighting Still.

Fighting Still.
In the furry and hubub that
marked the shifting of reins from |
Democratic to Republican hands,
Woodrow Wilson presented tragic |
spectacle.
His passing from the Presidency |
was 80 unreal and grim that per
sons who witnessed IL likened II to
q page of fiction- That he was the
only important member of his own
administration who took no part In
the ceremonies with cheering tens
Of thousands all about was not the
least extraordinary feature. Even
before the Senate clock pointed to
the hour Of IL that marked the end
Of his regime the President who
had guided the nations destiny for
eight years was hobbling down the
corridor toward home and retire.
ment.
Helped by Friends
His devoted wife and several
friends were helping him slowly
along. His left shoulder sagged
woefully and with his cane he
picked his footing as II he feared
that he would tumble into an abyss.
Every member Of his Cabinet. the
Senate and House of Representa-
tives that had passed with bim
through the solemn days of the
war. members Of the Supreme
Court. Of the Diplomatic Corps and
hundreds OF others packed the Sen
ate chamber. where the ceremonies
were in progress which marked the
shall, fourteen Senators and Repre-
ssntatives. most all OF them po-
liticaI enemies. The incoming
President had just shaken hands
with him and said:
-Good-by. Mr.. President; I know
you are glad at being relieved of
the burdens of of'ice. 7 appreciate
the courtesies you have shown to
me-"
Fighting spirit.
But the old fighting spirit
sparkled in his eyes, and his ac-
Acknowledgement of the greeting was
very. very formal. He wished the
incoming President the best of luck.
He expressed regret that he would
not be able to attend the ceremony
in the open air.
The old man who was to take his
place, assured him 1t would be no
discourtesy IL he did not feel like
attempting the strain.
The old President had signed
about a dozen newly-enacted bills
and pocketed half a dozen more
which he did not like. In this way
they were vetoed. He had accom-
panied the new President to the
Capitol. and thus his duties were
frfA
political and otherwise, who could
hardly conceal their emotion. Sena- |
tors Underwood, Hefiin an dother
members of the upper branch of
Congress, Attorney General Palmer,
Secretary Meredith and other men, |
bers of his Cabinet came to him
from time to time. Gen. Pershing
shook his hand, and he asked the
stalwart soldier chief to pardon
him for not arising. And then he
said:
'T guess 1 had better go now"
Clock Turned Back.
The Senate clock had been turn
ed backed because Of the delays in
cidcnt to the enormities of the oc-
cssion- II was rightfully about
five minutes after twelve. Several |
tender hands took hold of him and |
Just then Senator Lodge, Repub-
lican leader of the Senate. had |
come to announce that the business
of the Senate had been completed
and to ask IL he had any further |
communication to impart.
Tell them l have no further
communication. Thank you for the |
courtesy. Good morning"
Wilson's Passing.
Woodrow Wilson was taking his |
leave. The eyes of hundreds Of
reople who had been hitting
Through the corridors followed him,
inch by inch From the Presi- |
dential room in the marble hall. |
where he had spent less than forty |
minutes. to the northeast portals |
of the Capitol, Is but a few hun |
dred feet.
Through the bulging doors of
the Senate foated words of wis
ipating in the nations most pomp-
Gus ceremony. One little glance in |
that direction. and such was the |
Ieavetaking OF Woodrow Wilson. |
Senator Philander c. Knox, of
Pennsylvania. overlook him at the
steps and asked IL he would not
tarry a while In the Senate. i
Senator Knox" said Mr.. Wilson,
smiling, Il recall that the Senate |
not long since threw me down, and |
] should hate to go before the Sem |
ate now and fall down."
Driven to Home.
He was helped into the motor car
that had driven him from the White |
House, and with Mrs. Wilson and |
his physician, DR.. Grayson. at his
side. was driven to his private resi-
dence on street northwest.
In the Senate chamber the scenes
were simple and solemn.
A crowd had banked the Senate
chamber. radiating tier upon tier
from the Presidents platform back
ward and upward to the ceiling
Others. who were unable to get in
side. swarmed about the doors,
straining for a glimpse of the pro-
ceedings. For the most part the |
galleries were filled with women. /
their new frocks and bright millin-
cry adding a dash of color to the |
setting.
In Joint Session.
Below on the floor the members |
OF the Senate and House which met |
in a joint session for the occasion |
were assembled. the Senators on the |
left zrd the Representatives on the |
right of the chamber with the over
now grouped closely around the |
edge and extending into the cloak |