The Washington times., 1924-02-04

opinion Of 'astute politicians was
that he did not seek to capitalize his
virtues for the front pages of the
newspapers.
Poor Publicity Agent.
HE was dreadfully poor publicity
material. He was the despair of
those newspaper boys who sought
human-interest stories. Human
from his heart to his finger tips, he
did not know how to put his
humanity on exhibition.
There occurred n little incident
in a Western State that most per.
sons in public life would have had
telegraphed to all parts of the
country. Exhausted by his public
engagements, racked with pain, he,
nevertheless. slipped away quietly
one afternoon with Mrs. Wilson to
pay a visit to some friend OF his
first wife living in a little cottage
III an obscure street Of the town.
j Here was the human-interest
story. But he did not know how TO
turn a thoughtful act Of that sort
To- political advantage.
I "As his secretary, and feeling the
responsibility of obtaining for him
publicity that would be OF political
advaE tage, / was often yexed that
he didn't play up better, but as
his friend and admirer. have lovad
hun because he didn't.
Recalls Sea Girt Incident.
''I recall an incident at Sea Girt.
A journalist had written him up
and we wanted him to do one of
the little stunts that the public
dearly loves to read about. Mr..
Wilson said to me, Tumulty, you
must realize that l am not built
for these things. 1 do not want to
be displayed before the public. n
l tried to do it, l would do 1t badlA
l want people to love me, but they
never will l have never forgotten
the wistful tone in which he spoke
those last four words, but they
never will
Lonely, But Craved Love.
HE was lonely not because he
disdained love. He craved 1t with
all his soul. He was lonely because
of his genius. The greatest genius
always walks companionless. We
all love to read the stories of Lin
coin, the easy-going, companionahle
Abe, but any familiar student OF
history knows that he was the lone
liest man Of his age. He had not
one single confidant, not one init
mate companion. Sadness was writ.
ten in his face.
1.-TWO pictures are in my mind.
First, the Hall of Representatives
crowded to gallery with expectant
throngs.
1t is announced that the Presi-
dent Of the United States will ad.
dress Congress. There steps out to
the Speakers desk a straight vigor-
Gus, slender man, active and alert.
He is sixty years or age, but looks |
not more than forty-five, so 1.-the |
of limb, so alert of bearing, SO
virile.
1t is Woodrow Wilson reading his |
great war message.
"The other picture is only three |
and one-half years later. There is |
a parade of veterans of tte great |
war. They are to be reviewed by
the President at the White House. |
I'm a chair sits a man, our Presi- |
dent, broken in health. His hair is |
white. his shoulders bowed, his fig. |
IRE bent. He is sixty-three years |
I'D, but looks older. 1t is Woodrow |
Wilson.
Tears In His Eyes.
presently, in the procession there |
appears an ambulance laden with I
wounded soldiers, the MANNED, the |
nalt and the blind. AS they pass,
hey salute, slowly, reverently. The |
right hand goes up in
answering salute. 1 glance at him.
There are tears in his eyes. The |
wounded is greeting the wounded
Those in the ambulance, lie in the
chair, are alike casualties of the
great war.
Monument In Hearts.
a lrow Wilson will have his
no ,nts; the future generations
vil him clear-eyed and un-
,rei ed as one of Americas i'm
nortaN But my strongest hope
,as been that he has lived to
ealize that he had warm place
r the hearts Of his countrymen
While he lived.
II hope he has been able TO
ealize that wish which he ex.
PRESSED several years ago when
le said, i want people to love me-
hope he has realized that he
vas modestly mistaken when hS
aid They never will'."