San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11

longer period when no new
there seemed to be no special
The memoranda having
been made at the time, little
opportunity was offered to
look backward or forward,
and an effort was made not
TO do so.
The comments are those of the
moment, on the happenings of the
moment, and there is, therefore, little
in the record in the way of broad
criticism or of a controversial ma
ture.
Perhaps it would be wiser to stop
with the record, but find it difficult
to resist the temptation to take a
somewhat freer range, in particular
TO give my estimate of the central
figure Of the period, and, for that
matter, the central world figure in
this great period of the worlds his
tory. prefer to yield to the tempta-
ton and run the risk of being counted
unwise and even rash.
II is rash to attempt to give an
estimate Of any man--to say that he
was thus and so and that he acted
from such and such motives. No
man fully understands himself, or is
able always, even after reflection, to
state satisfactorily to himself the
grounds Of his decision and the rea-
sons for his action.
ESTIMATE OF WILSON.
II is peculiarly risky for any one
to essay to analyze Woodrow Wilson
and to picture what manner 81 man
he was and why he acted as he did
on many OF the smaller and larger
matters rapidly pressing upon him for
decision in the most momentous and
rapidly shifting scenes Of modern
history.
It was easy for omniscient persons
on the outside TO ascertain and de-
termine at the time why he did GER
tain things and what he should have
done. They were hampered neither
by facts nor responsibility, and many
Of those who were most vocal at a
time Of great national peril even were
more concerned with making political
capital than they were in soberly dis
covering the right course.
Not a few OF them Of the prima
donna type were constantly seeking
the limelight and were deeply resent
full OF the fact that in such stirring
and dramatic times others had the
lending roles and positions of power.
There were few conspicuous leaders
Of the opposing party, some in politi-
cal positions in influence, others in
private life, who were peculiarly af-
fected with this resentment and could
not conceal It. They revealed it at
all times, frequently in harmful ways
in outbursts of furious criticism or
in petty partisan tactics. It Is not
necessary that 7 mention names. They
win readily occur TO the reader
VARYING VIEWS.
Few men see n thing or man
in the same light, and ] do not for
a moment assume that any one else
will accept my estimate Of Woodrow
Wilson in full. or even in large meas
urc. It Is not even satisfactory to
nc. and 7 shall doubtless revise it as
/ get sidelights from his other friends,
from his critics and from new mate
rails.
Woodrow Wilson revealed sharply
the influence of his heredity and
Of his environment. He came from
stern ancestors and for IS years OF
his life his environment was confined
and specialized.
"My ancestors" he said, "wcre trou-
bIesome Scotchmcn, and among them
were some of that famous group that
were known as Coycnanters." His
maternal grandfather was a Scotch
man. He was Scotch Presbyterian.
lie was a Calvinist. follower of
John Knox. He was at one time mis-
Advertisement