Evening star., 1924-02-27
The True Story of
Woodrow Wilson
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
RrDAVID LAWRENCE.

more than an hour. His words were
eloquent, his argument had the ring
OF sincerity. He was never inter
rupted with applause At the end
a few clapped their hands-the or
deal was over. Classmates of Dr.
Wilson, men like Robert Bridges, as
sociate editor of Scribner's Magazine
reiterated their faith in him, but for
the most part of the speech made no
converts.
Reporters were not supposed to be
present, yet a full account of what
occurred, plus the prejudiced slant
or those who opposed DR.. Wilson
was published in two New York
newspapers the next day, a circum-
stance that added fuel to the flames
Two stenographerS took down what
was said. There had been an under
current of talk about DR. Wilson's
constant dcnials of his reported at.
titude on the graduate school queS.
tlon. NO opportunity, his opponents
Said. would hc given this time tc
deny what he said
Demands for Resignation.
Inside and outside of Princetol,
the division between pro-Wilson and
anti-Wilsou was sharply defined
Among the members of the faculty
social invitations were carefully ex.
tended SO that wives of the support
ers of one group would not meet tho
other side.
Gradually the demand that DR.
Wilson resign the presidency Of
princeton began to grow in volume
W llSon must &C." was the slogan
or his opponents. Some years be-
tore. George Harvey in the North
American Review had written an ar.
rlcle calling AZ fE
itnesS of Woodrow Wilson to ht
President Of the United States The
SluoehtS wrote song about it and
1oklngly refused to part with him
ihere began to be rumorS now that
he might become the democratic
uomlnee Tor Governor of New jersey
Some OF his enemies sincerely honed
SO. one of the bosses" in New Jersey
poHtlcs was even given reason to sus-
pect that if he could accomplish the
nomination of Woodrow Wilson and
MS Withdrawal from the university.
heiie ha eo, OF tne wealthy alumni might
De persuaded to contribute heavily
70 the campaign fund. This was
S'outly denied and proha bly, WASH
true SO lar as any would be contrib
utors were concerned, but unques-
tionably the Wilson men wished
the world if they only would furnish
Ihe circumstances that would take
pr Wilson out of their way.
Yet Dr.. Wilson did not seek a Nav
out. He talked politics to a few
close friends. If he was to I,a-.
Princeton at all he wanted to do ~
Win a Victory behind linn and not
defeat.
thoughts on the Presidency.
In the spring of 1910 was calling
at Dr. Wilson's office to get a COPY
oi speech he was to deliver u few
days later. rrof. Robert McElrov.
who lectured OH American history.
and who has recently written the au-
thorlzed biography of Grover C'Ieye-
land: vas leaving DR. Wilson's office.
nat do You think" exclaimed
Frof. McElroy. DIR. Wilson thinks W..
ar. bound TO have a third party in
I'VE. and he is inclined to hcIje,, ;.
ne mas q chance to be its presidential
candidate"
IL was my first insight into the in
oepc ndent views of Woodrow Wilson
on polittcS. | knew he cherished no
ad!hiration for William Jennings Erv-
an policies. E.'. Wilson's famous let
ter 10 Andrew Q. JolinC, q distin-
gulshed Princeton alumnus. deuounc.
lnS Il speech a Madison Square Car
cen on government ownership of
his return from Europe, was not the,,
public. In that letter DR. Wilson ex-
pressed the wish that somebody would
Knock Mr.. Bryan into - cooked hat
once and for all. v lille Or. Wilson
MS not IN sympathy with the Bryan
uoctflhsS he was not fond of the
hosscS' who Exercised 81 big an in
t,uencc 1T the Democratic party. He
thousht the country had tired Of both
parties. and would discard them 1In-
!eSS mere was reform from within.
" oodToW Wilson made many
sree eches during the wears 1909 and
1910, and attracted attention wher-
ever he spoke. His Princeton critics
accused him OF making Il campaign
for the presidency Of tho United
states. They said his whole quarrel
about democracy ~ Princeton WAS
simply vehicle for the advancement
of his candidacy-a pubIjcitv effort
The Wilson group inspired scy-
cral newspaper articles along this