Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-04
WOODROW WILSON

tunity and In power and in appeal
10 the minds OF his own and other
peoples. Though the impressions
are conflicting they will not quickly
pass: years will elapse before the
abiding estimate of his life will have
been made for history. In the max
ing Of this. fulsome eulogy and carp
ing criticism. both will be employed.
Enough now that we recognize the
salient characteristics of him, who
was our President at the time OF a
world conflict, when our country
through him as its leader exerted
unprecedented influence.
1t is but Just that we recall and
cherish In memory bow marvelously
he voiced the aspirations of a war
weary world for enduring peace, in
words which will live and inspire
generations yet unborn. However
impractical we may think some of
them to be. and whether or not we
consider them the utterances of a
visionary. Of the scholar than of the
doer of deeds, they will persist, for
their appeal. In so many instances,
was to the instinct OF mankind for
better things.
There are characteristics Of small
ness in all great men. and the ex-
tent and endurance OF the fruits OF
their greatness depend not only on
its dominance but in the quality OF
il. With respect to him, while COM
PARSONS have been and will be made,
We would now prefer to think espe-
cially Of tho heroic figure that he
was. subjected to the terrible strain
OF upheaval beneath the structure
Of our civilization: TO think Of him
a. broken under the burden of serv-
ice to mankind. a. he undoubtedly
believed. We would not criticise his
evident conviction OF noble purpose,
= belief which undoubtedly COM
forted him throughout the years OF
ruined health. assuaged the rigors
he endured and enabled him to say
in the face OF death: II am ready"
We are told that. while he lay
patiently waiting for the summons
and when his physicians were try
ing to hope against hope. he said:
II am n broken machine" Review
Ing the period OF his enfeebled con-
dition we see that he would have
had fewer enemies had he recog-
nized this when he returned shat
tered in his country wide fight for
the League of Nations. He deserves
charity to cover at least that period
OF his life. when in the nature of
things it seems impossible for him
to have been altogether normal.
Surely sympathy is broad enough to
comprehend. compassionate enough
TO consider that from having expert
cnccd the widest acclaim OF any
public man in the world he was
called to endure bitter defeat OF his
plans. loss of power. and waning of
influence. And why withhold ad-
miration for the fibre OF his domi-
nance that would not yield. though
we cri,icise the quality of his insist
cnce that his way was the only right
way?
IT is possible for an autocrat to
love his country, though dazzled by
vision OF per-government over
all countries. We do not doubt
Woodrow Wilson loved his country.
His was an autocratic nature. 1t
was called to service when the coun-
try needed an autocrat. And when
that need passed he could not COM
prehend the passing. He admitted
having one-track mind. Perhaps
here we have one explanation why.
when he saw war to be inevitable.
he did not comprehend the urgent
need for preparedness. the sacrifice
which would be required because Of
this neglect. But be this as 1t may.
we should cherish the memory. that
when the struggle eliminated he
had behind him this great country
united in his support to an extent
never before known, and the people
OF other lands waited on his word.
Most newspaper men are not seri-
ous!y exercised in their minds over
la