Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-09
TuIlIulty


\ the passing of the old regime and the
incoming OF the new the American pcu-
pie should not lose sight Of one of its
picturesque and its most faithful public SER
wants Of the past eight years. II should
not look lightly or appraise depreciatingly
the contribution which Joseph p Tumulty
secretary to Woodrow Wilson. first us Gov
error OF New Jersey. and, next, as Prcsi-
dent OF the United States, has made to the
history OF the past ten years
No man has had more difficult duties to
perform during the past decade than has
this product OF New Jersey politics, and no
man has met his responsibilities with more
fidelity. more industry and more OF that
keen Irish intelligence, which has figured
so conspcuously i'll American hist DRY. from
the very birth OF the republic Although
officially he has been in the background OF
the drama, by an unprecedented series of
circumstances, it has fallen to him to stand
forth i'll the picture and to play part
never before cast for secretary to the
President.
Tummlty went to Washington without
training i'll national affairs. He was prac-
tcally unknown TO the country and TO his
party He was known only 10 Governor
Wilson. who had discovered in the young
New Jersey legislator a man OF great ca
racity. OF fine loyalty. OF profound belief
in Democratic ideals and Of infinite posi-
hilities for public usefulness. And instead
OF taking some man who had achieved re-
nown already. Mr.. Wilson selected as his
confidential assistant. the faithful follower
of his policies as Governor of New Jersey.
Time has abundanty vindicated that
choice. The Jersian has kept the faith.
He has gone through fire. but has come
forth nnscorched. He has stood for eight
oil NJ
privilege in itself. He has carried burdens
never before placed upon his Office. For
almost year the President was absent in
Europe, during which time it was his sec
rotary who virtually acted in his name. For
mere than year the President was an
invalid during which time II Was 1'umulty
who frequently was forced to act swiftly
and decisively as though he himself were
the chief executive.
Tumulty may not have been uncrring in
his judgments. Few men are. But he knew
the President we'll enough to correctly in
torpret Mir. Wilson's mind upon most mat
tors. and when it became necessary for him
To act in the name of his chief, he acted. in
most instances. exactly as Mr.. Wilson him
self would have acted.
An important chapter. not only in Amcri-
can history, but in the history OF the world
was made during the eight years that Joseph
p. Tumulty sat at the rgh, hand OF Wood
row Wilson in the White House. 1t has
been said that the former secretary is in
chncd to write his own memoirs. II he
does. The country will be even more in
dcbted to him. Stored away in his mind
are facts that no other man perhaps has;
in his possession. and he owes it to him
self and to the American people to conGdc
this story TO posterity.
Every admirer OF this young man. who
has now returned to private life must re-
joice in the fact that he declined both posi-
tons which President Wilson generously
rendered 10 him. II would have cheapened
him in the eyes Of the country to have be-
come dependent actually or apparently
upon government salary AS it is he is
free To make for himself future as bril-
liant as his past has been successful His
countrymen think highly OF him and wish
him we'll.