Evening star., 1924-02-04
Woodrow Wilson
BY
Rt. Rev. JaTaes Il. Freeman, DID,,
Bishop Of Washington.

Bishop OF Warrington.
Tho passing OF Mr.. woodrow Will
son marks the close Of q career that
commanded the deep interest of the
world at large during what may
be regarded as the most critical
period In human history. He came
to his high office with remarkable in
tellectual gifts and a back ground
OF historical knowledge concerning
American institutions that gave him
a perspective of infinite value in
dealing with the problems as they
confronted him The early traditions
OF his home life affected to a re-
markabie degree his point Of view
regarding large public questions.
Upon the shoulders of no President
In the history of this republic have
weightier burdens been placed, He
was called upon to deal not only
with large questions that affect the
life Of this country, but with those
more complex questions that affect
the lie OF the nations generally.
Ihere Will always be wide difference
or opinion concerning the methods
employed by men in public office.
From Washington down to the pres
ent hour presidents have been the
victims of stern and critical iude
ment. Too frequently this Judgment
mas lacked balance and fairness We
nave not as yet learned to disso-
ciate principles from party policies,
The man whose convictions are less
hxeu and definite is freer from
criticism than one who stands un-
hinchingly by the thing he believes
to be right. Mr. Wilson's utter ab.
horrence Of war, with all it's At
tending barbarities. led him to espouse
certain principles that he believed
"lshe pr1ng US to a warless world, a
consummation devoutly to be wished
While men may have differed with
MIN concerning the method by which
ne sought to accomplish this. the
nlsh purpose to which he consecrated
himseif must give him a place OF
enduring distinction among the ereat
statesmen of all time. We are hound
TO oeiieve that the great impulse that
moved him was born of his reverence
1or the ideal of Jesus Christ as .ex-
pressed in His second great com-
mandment, Thou shalt love thv
neighbo- as thyself."
america mas not ceased to respect
ana revere the man who is willing to
go down in the fight for the thing he
believes. Caustically and critically II
has been said of him that he was an
idealist. Let us believe that this was
true concerning him, for if ever there
was tune when we needed the ideal
lst 1t is the present. I believe there
is a growing conviction in the mind
OF our people that the thing he fought
ior and Tor which he actually gave his
lie must come to pass-perhaps not
in the precise form that he presented
II. He counted not his life dear unto
himself, but was willing, if need be,
to give for the thing he believed "the
last full measure of devotion"
L recall an incident that happened
during the great war that illustrates
his fine sympathy and ready response
Army, man of splendid qualities and
gifts. had been tried by court-martial
and ordered dismissed. 1t fell to NV
lot to present the case to the author
tiles in Washington, and subsequent
ly to the President. In the midst of
crowded day he gave me a ready and
generous hearing and disclosed the
most profound interest in the story l
presented to him. He followed with
the case as disclosed in the trial, and
at the end of the interview said. Il
am grateful to you for bringing this
matter to my personal attention. 1t
appears to me from what you have
told me that possibly an injustice has
been done the officer. If you will ask
my secretary to brief the case and lay
it on my table. 1 will review it to-
night" He did so, and in five days
dismissed the sentence, elevated the
officer in question to a higher grade
and sent him to France.
The whole interview fingers in my
memory as the disclosure of an ele-
ment in his nature rarely recognized
by those who criticize him, namely,
a tender and sympathetic interest as
we'll as an affection for those who
had suffered misfortune.
In the great office he filled through
period that was fraught with grave
perils he did not claim to be inn
peccable or infallible. Like every
man, he made mistakes, but he will
take his place in history as a man
of commanding power, of singleness
of purpose. with consecration to a
great ideal, and these entitle him to
the unfailing respect and esteem of
his fellow countrymen.