Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-18


counselled with the people in 1915
and 1916. that when he called for
war in 1917, there was no peace
party to dispute the decision.
And once having entered the war.
the great modern apostle OF Peace.
struck with the force of a thunder
bolt. Under his direction, the man
power, the brain power, the money
power, the hearts and consciences
OF all America were modified. When
we entered the war the Allies were
all but ready to acknowledge defeat.
In eighteen short months the great
est of conquering armies were
humbled, the War Lord of Germany
had sought refuge in flight; the
dream Of world domination by
sipated and the nations which had
oonspired together against civiliza-
ton Joined in unconditional sur
render.
The war ended and he sought to
build upon the wreck of the world ain
edifice OF lasting peace. He had
reached the heights. For, a few brief
moments the nations listened to his
words Of wisdom and his plans for
their future safety, then those who
should have stood by him and have
fought the battle OF humanity
shoulder TO shoulder, failed him. and
he who had reached the mountain
top, trod his said way back to the
valley. He heard then the teers of
those who had cheered him loudest
when he last went their way and he
met their condemnation, as he had
met their praise. with steady gaze
and bravest smile, weary and broken
in the flesh, strong and upright in
the spirit.
But he was profound student of
history and an expert economist. His
trained mind, his knowledge of the eX-
per.ence Of mankind, enabled him TO
approach the solution OF the problems
of government as a mathematician ap-
proaches the solution of problems in
calculus.
All that he lacked with an intimate
knowledge of the human beings with
whose aid. and in spite OF whose oppo-
sition, he was obliged to carry out his
plans.
In his first term as president he de-
voted his time TO domestic problems.
During that period he was the means
of placing in the statute books of our
country laws which will remain for
many years, monument to his capac-
Under his epoch-making advance was
made in sound progressive legislation
rot only in humanitarian and social
welfare lines but in matters. as well,
which pertaincd to business and fl
nance and made for the ultimate gen.
eral prosperity of the nation.
Under him tn" business OF govern
ment was carried on by the chosen
representatives, of the people and not
by the self-electcd representatives of
special interests.
An aristoclat in intellect, his heart
was filled with love Of the common
people and his whole aim was to serve
them, not as a dcma goguc but as one
who loved them and who knew their
needs better than they knew them
themselves.
Had the world remained at peace
until his first term as president ended
he might never have served his Sec
ond term and might not have cared to
do so, but in 1914 the mad ambition
OF the product of many royal inter-
marriages plunged Europe into the
chaos of war and he was called upon,
first to act as the chief spokesman of
the neutral nations and later, when,
in spite Of his every endeayor, our
own country and all the world was
drawn into the maelStroT, as the lead
er or the forces that battlCd for the
of civilization.
Essentially a man Of peace, his
rame Is 50 connected with the World
War that his place in history will be
determined rather by his record as n
great war statesman aud great war
president. than by his achievements
as an economist, splendid as were
those achievements.
Men prayed for leader and Cod
gave him to them. For time they
followed. but as he led ever onward
and ever upward. the trailing march
crs tired and fell back On the leader
walked alone.
a great philosopher. statesman.
prophet, interpreter Of democracy, COM
panion for kings, he rested his faith
in the multitude. He was his brothers
keeper and the burden that the weary
toiler bore taxed his strength as though
it were his own.
Loved. worsilipped. honored. trusted
hated. villitied, betrayed, he went his
way unmoved by victory or defeat. con-
sciouS of his rectitude, sure of the
verdict of history.
Men called him cold. His heart was
warm with loss of all mankind. They
charged him with ambition. He had no
aim except the common good. No pur-
pose save to serve his fellow man.
lie lived to sound the height and
depth OF life. He heard the crowd shout
"llosannah" and heard them cry Cru
city him" Under the tremendous
strain which he put upon his mental
and physical energy his health broke
down and for months he lay stricken.
unable 10 take part in the worlds
work.
The people turned back to him to-
ward the last and gave him their love,
their tears, their prayers in place of
the cheers and the applause they had
given him in the earlier days. AS time
went on he became nearer and dcarer
to them. and when the end came the
whole world mourned.
Woodrow Wilson has passed into
history now. He belongs to the ages.
He will take his place with those
whose lives mark mileStones in man
kinds progress. The world is better
for his living and so long as the Eng.
lish language is spoken, so long as
the memory of this nation endures, his
fame will live and in his name men
will dedicate their lives to those great
ideals which were his and for which
he worked and spoke and wrote and
prayer, for which he lived and for
which he suffered ard died.
Men said he failed: because he ccuid
not make blind partisansuip see the
vision he beheld. i was the failure
Of Calvary. Tho CruciGx his. ;he
Crown of ThorEs, but life everlasting
and glory forever ard ever.
Hon. 3. F. Maher
Judge Maher spoke in part as fol.
lows:
"EothiDc- ve can Sav or do cap o1d