Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-28
WHEN HARDING FOLLOWS
WILSON'S EXAMPLE
BY JOHN T. BOIFEUILLET
W HENEVER President Harding In his
~ administration follows the practices


have in mind, at this particular writing,
his addressing in person the joint session OF
congress few days ago, as he has previously
DONE thus following Wilson's custom when
that eminent statesman occupied the White
House.
/ Until Wilson'S era, no president had per-
sonaly appeared before congress to deliver
message since the days of Washington and
John Adams, period of more than CEN
tury. l have sometimes believed it was the
regret of Roosevelts presidential life that
the thought had not occurred to him to ad-
dress congress, and thus have anticipated
Wilson He never forgave Wilson for think
ing to revive the Washingtonion practice.
In January, 1917, President Wilson made
an historical appearance in the senate cham
Der, when he delivered to the senate his
momentous and epoch making peace with
out Victory" address. This was the first and
only time that a President had thus per-
sonally addressed the senate since August
1889, when Washington advised with that
body on the terms of the treaty to be negO-
tiated with Indians in Georgia and the Caro-
linas, and referred to matters concerning the
Greeks in Georgia, and providing for free
port ON the ST. Mary's river in Georgia.
Senator Gum from this state took prominent
part in the proceedings, practically all OF
which related to Georgia affairs.
Were the Teeth False?
A critic says: ION this occasion Washing
toms motion was slow rather than lively,
though he showed no signs Of having suf-
Tered by govt or rheumatism. His complex
ion was pale, nay, cadaverous. His voice
hollow and indistinct owing, as I believe, to
artificial teeth"
When Thomas Jefferson succeeded to the
presidency he disregarded Washington's and
John Adams custom Of reading in person
their annual messages to congress- JeHer-
sons critics said that he was not able to
acquit himself creditably as a speaker, or
reader, and so he wrote his message and sent
it by a messenger This may or may not
have been the reason, but Jefferson, who
was the leader of the Republican party,
which afterwards changed it's name and be-
came known as the Democratic party, was
doubtless aware that many of the Republican
members of congress resented the public ap-
pearance Of Presidents Washington and
Adams, who were Federalists, in the halls OF
congress for the purpose of delivering their
messages.
In 1913 the senate sought to revive the
Washingtonian custom by requesting the at
tendance of President Madison to consult
upon foreign affairs; but Mr.. Madison de-
clined.
"A MomentOus Occasion
There has never been a more impressive
hour in the life of the American nation than
the last time I heard President Woodrow
Wilson speak. The scene was the famous
and historic arena of the hall of the House
or Representatives at Washington. Wilson
was then the central figure in the most
gigantic drama recorded in human history.
The occasion was the ever to be memoir
able day, November II, 1918, when he ad-
dressed congress, in joint session, and an
nounced to it the armistice terms to Ger
many, which brought the World war to a
triumphant close for the allied nations, and
sent the United States bounding forward
greater, stronger and more prosperous than
she had ever been-a spectacle of national
happiness and grandeur.
A splendid setting had been prepared for
1.-THE president, Vice-President Marshall, as
the presiding officer of the senate, sat on the
right of Speaker Clark Of the House. The
senators and representatives occupied seats
on the floor. The majesty of the law was
represented by the nine justices of the
Supreme court who were seated Immediately
in front Of the speakers desk, near the mem
bers Of the cabinet. The diplomatic gallery
contained many of the most cultivated and
brilliant nobility in the world. The first lady
Of the land and distinguished array of her
chosen friends were in the presidents gall
lery. The other galleries were crowded with
spectators admitted special cards issued
by the senators and representatives. All
silently and anxiously awaited the coming
| scene-the supreme moment in human
history.
ENTRANCE OF THE PRESIDENT
Escorted by a committee of senators and
representatives, the president, in the sim
plcity of attire and with the dignified de-
meanor characteristic of him, quietly entered
the august presence and with a quick and
modest step mounted the platform of the
speakers dias His first act was to shake
hands with the speaker and the vce-presi-
dent. The instant the vast assembly caught
sight of the slender and familiar form OF
Wilson they leaped to their feet, clappint
| their hands, and waving handkerchiefs ana
| hats, and the shouts of enthusiasm produce
such a sound as when loud surges lash the
| sounding shore"
| The president smilingly bowed to the
| right and left during the minutes that the
| great explosion of feeling lasted.
The blood must have flowed sluggishly
| indeed in the breast of any American who
could have looked upon that scene without
love of country and pride of native land.
When the multitude gazed on Woodrow
| Wilson they did not see the individual, but
| they saw the constitutional head of the re-
public in whom was reflected the whole ma
ton. They saw people which, through the
unity of language, race, and tenderness was
destined in the province of God to become
the greatest instrument of civil and human
! progress the world has ever known. They
! saw him as the American symbol of the
hopes and ardors of the hearts and minds of
| oppressed people throughout the earth. They
| saw him as the chief magistrate of the
worlds most powerful nation opening the
great gates of the future upon the fruitful
| glories Of "a new era.
| TIMES OF STUPENDOUS CHANGE
| The president remained standing from
| the moment he entered the hall of the house
of representatives until he retired therefrom,
and he departed the instant he concluded his
| address. The reading of the document con-
sumed about 80 minutes. There was no in
| PRODUCTION of him. and he commenced to