Governor Woodrow Wilson’s ’79 Inauguration and His Recent Speeches

The inauguration of Dr. Woodrow Wilson ’79 as Governor of New Jersey is to take place in Trenton Jan. 17. The Governor-elect spoke on “Business and Politics” at the annual dinner of the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association, Dec. 12, and on the 14th he addressed the Southern Society of New York, at its annual dinner, his subject being “Past and Present.” On this occasion Dr. Wilson was introduced as “the next President of the United States.” During his address he said:

“A good deal of our recent discussion about federal powers and state powers treats them as if they were in antagonism with each other. No sane or public spirited man in jealous of federal power. Every one who looks discerningly upon the present problems of the union must see that interests which are truly national must be taken care of by federal action. But what we wish to guard against is the atrophy of the local agency, the awakening of those great instrumentalities which have vitalized our communities everywhere and made self government a human relation. What we wish to prevent is anything which will relieve our people from the necessity of taking care of themselves. Our system of government has been great because it has put upon the states the necessity of working out their own problems and has put the people everywhere upon their mettle; has left their economic and social salvation to their own discernment and their own exertion. The present problem of our politics is not how to redivide the powers of government, but how to revitalize and redignify and redeem the powers of the states.”

The University Club of Chicago tendered an informal reception to Dr. Wilson on the occasion of his visit to that city. A large number of the members from all colleges and their guests called to shake hands with Dr. Wilson. Speaking of his address before the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, a correspondent writes: “The manner in which he was receive showed the keen interest aroused by his sane utterances on the conduct of public affairs.”

Dr. Wilson has been elected a Vice-President of the National Civil Service Reform League.

This was originally published in the December 21, 1910 issue of PAW.