Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-16
WILSON DECISIVE
/. FACTOR IN NAMING
1924 CANDIDATE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Geased Wire Service to The Journal.)
(CODvripht 1927

(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1929
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-Wood-
row Wilson, health permitting-and
it's getting better every day-will
have a decisive influence in the Sc
lection Of the Democratic nominee
for the presidency in 1924.
The demonstration before the Will
son home, the first lengthy speech
from the ex-president since he was
stricken in the autumn Of 1919, and
his readiness to discuss public is
sues once more in letters to promi-
nent Democrats are plainly sequel
to the election of last week.
Nothing has contributed more to
the rejuvenation Of Woodrow Will
sons spirit, nothing has proved so
effective tonic to his health than
the election returns which, differ as
one may about their meaning, were
interpreted by Mr.. Wilson, at any
rate, as the swinging Of the pendu-
lum back in his direction. Too ex-
hausted to undertake again the ar
duous tasks of a presidential candi.
dacy, Mr.. Wilson cares far more
about the vindication Of the princi-
pies which he championed-and
this will affect the choice Of a can
didate more than personal wish or
favor.
AS he stood in the doorway of his
home, just beneath the stone pqrtico,
he looked like an etching on a page
of history. 1t was as if Jefferson or
Jackson or some of the figures Of a
century ago had stepped forward
out of the portals Of another world
to bring back a word of caution to a
new generation.
Not L'anatical Outburst ~
Cheering there was-and no one
can doubt it's sincerity-but it was
riot the fanatical Outburst OF a po-
litical or campaign crowd.
It was the response of q crowd
that was too aWe-struck, too sur
prised to cheer continuously. For
moment the feeble figure with head
bowed and hands clasping tightly
cane moved a step or two
and many a throat caught lump.
But a second later, with his feet
firmly fixed in position, so to speak,
the head was lifted, the cane was
loosely hung by it's crook in an up
per breast pocket Of the overcoat and
the old Wilson smile spread it's greet
ing over the heads of several thou
sand men and women packed tight
ly in the narrow thoroughfare.
Wilson Strength Democrat
The value Of leader WITH the
prestige and influence Of Mr.. Wilson
may-not be considered important
from the Republican viewpoint, but
when one considers the state of dis
organization of the Democratic par
ty from coast to coast and the
need for harmony and a revival of
party activity, the return Of Mr..
Wilson to more or less active coun-
sci is tremendously significant. The
Democratic party was largely and is
largely, so far as-party leaders are
concerned, Wilson organization.
Only the split between the Palmer
and McAdoo forces at San Francis
co enabled the anti-Wilson ele-
ments from New York and Illinois
and New Jersey to select another
candidate, who however quickly
recognized the Importance Of the
Wilson leadership and faithfully
preached the Wilson doctrine
throughout the campaign. But tie
Wilson strength is dominant in the
party today and a coalition Uf the
Wilson strength can easily name the
next candidate.
Mr.. Wilson in his letter to Senator
Caraway has given first expression
of his desire for leadership. He said
eve must now clear DIR minds
and purify our hearts to offer to the
country in 1924 exactly the service
it most needs and the candidate who
can best render that service"
Mr.. Wilson's health alone has pre-
vented his assuming the reins of
leadership before this. His physi-
clans and family thought it would
be too much lof a strain. But the
tonic Of victory, which his intimates
have been praying for, has come at
least. The tide is turning, they feel,
and with it will come better days
for the ex-president, who hopes to
see some day a complete triumph of
the principles which he believes
America fought for in 1917 and 1918. |
There was a touch of wartime en-
thusiasm as the ex-president enter. |
ed his big touring car and waved his |
hat to the crowd. They formed a |
lane on either side and cheered as
the motor passed triumphantly
along