The Colorado statesman., 1924-02-09


more in the direction in which he set
his face and his mind than any other
man, either in this generation or in
any former generation; and the only
criticism, If 1t be criticism, is that
he has not marched in the right dlrec-
tion and has done things that he ought
not to have done"
In the process of wrestling from con-
gress all the powers he believed the
Constitution conferred upon the execu-
tive, President Wilson made many po-
lltlcal enemies who questioned not his
ability, but his motives and methods.
To particuarize would be largely to
review the political history of the last
six years. The railroad situation, how
ever, may be cited as an example.
Representative L. L. Denison (Rep)
of Illinois said January 10, 1919,
Government ownership of railroads
will be the dominant political Is
sue in the next national campaign ana
Mr.. McAdoo will of course expect to
be the candidate of his party. He VIII
hope to capitalize what has been done
for the railroad men,"
President WILSON was reelected in
1916 upon peace platform. October
%, 1918, Just before the congressional
elections, he issued an appeal to the
voters of the United States asking
them, If they had approved of his
leadership and wished him to continue
to be their unembarrassed spokesman
in affairs at home and abroad, to eX-
press themselves Enthusiastically to that
effect by returning a Democratic ma
jority to both houses. The result OF
the elections was to change the po-
lltlcal complexion of both houses as
follows: Goth congress-Senate, OIL
Democrats and 40 Republicans; house,
215 Republicans and 213 Democrats.
Goth congress-Senate, Al Democrats
and 40 Republicans; house, 239 Re
publicans and 1913 Democrats.
President Wilson in attending the
peace conference made several new
departures. He left the country during
office. He took the office with him,
signing acts and making appointments
while in Paris. He ignored the senate
though he is empowered by the Con
stitution to make treaties "by and with
the advice and consent of the senate"
He appointed as the American repre-
sentatlves himself, Secretary of State
Robert Lansing Henry White, Edward
NJ. House and General Tasker ii. Bliss.
He sailed December 4, 1918, and ar
rived at Paris December ii. The
French capital was en- fete for the oc-
casion. December "a he went to
England and thence to Italy. He
returned to Paris January 6, after Il
Journey that resembled "triumphal
procession"
After the preliminary sessions of the
peace conference President Wilson re
turned to the United States in Febru-
ary, returning to Paris March 10, 1919.
He signed the peace treaty June 2S,
1919, and returned to the United States
July s. His second term as president
expired March 3, 1920.
After his retirement from the presi-
dency Mr. Wilson lived quietly, making
a partly successful fight to regain his
health. He occasionally went to the
theater and rode much in his car about
the environs of Washington. He bought a
home in Washington and in 1921
formed law partnership with Balm
bridge Colby, who had been his secre-
tary of state, succeeding Robert Ian
sing. He took part in the funeral pro-
cession of President Harding in Wash
ington and was the recipient of much
public attention.
Mr.. Wilson's last public utterance
was last fall. November 10, 1928, the
eve of Armistice. day, he spoke by radio
to the American people, defending his
peace policy and saying that the Amer
lean people had withdrawn into d sui
len and selfish isolation which is deeply
ignoble because manifestly cowardly
and dishonorable."
Armistice day Mr.. Wilson briefly adj
dressed thousands from the front steps
of his home, concluding thus:
~ am not one of those that have the
least anxiety about the triumph of the
principles l have stood for. l have
seen fools resist Providence before and
| have seen their destruction as VIII
come upon these again-utter destruc-
tion and contempt. That we shall pre-
vail is as sure as that God reigns.
Thank you"
Woodrow Wilson was born Decem-
ber 2S, 1856, in Staunton, Va. He was
the son of Rev. Joseph II. Wilson,
a Presbyterian minister, and Jessie
(Woodrow) Wilson. In 1885 he mar
ried Ellen louise Axsen. They had
three daughters-Jessie (Mrs. Francis
Il. Sayre), Eleanor (AIrs. w. G. Nc
Adoo) and Margaret Mrs. Wilson
died August 16, 1914, in the White
House. December IS, 1915, Mr. Will
son married Edith (Bolling) Gait, Il
descendant of Pocahontns. The first
90 years of Mr.. Wilson'S life covered
his boyhood and education. The next