"SURRENDER: A WORD WOODROW WILSON NEVER RECOGNIZED"

'A STATESMAN WHO FOUGHT TILL THE LAST FOR THE IDEALS IN WHICH HE BELIEVED'

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 2, 1924, David Lawrence of The Evening Star writes 'The hour of surrender--a word which, in his days of power, he never recognized--has come to Woodrow Wilson."

The 28th President of the United States lies on his deathbed at his home on S Street here in the Nation's Capital.  Death is expected to come today or tomorrow.

Mr. Lawrence describes Woodrow Wilson as "a statesman who fought till the last for the ideals in which he believed."  The President once said, "I would rather fail in a cause that I know some day will triumph than to win in a cause that I know someday will fail."

Nothing was more true than when Mr. Wilson lobbied for passage of the Versailles Treaty* ending World War I and the United States becoming a member of the League of Nations**.  

Tragically, the President suffered a major stroke while campaigning for the Treaty and the League.  The United States did not join the League of Nations.

*The Versailles Treaty (1919) signed in Paris ended a state of war between Germany & most of the Allied powers.  It forced Germany & other Central Powers to accept total blame for the world war & to suffer major penalties.

**The League of Nations (1920-1946) founded by Woodrow Wilson was the 1st international organization whse mission was to maintain world peace.  LON was headquartered in Geneva. 

SOURCE

"Hour of Surrender Word Never Known by Him, Comes to Wilson," by David Lawrence, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 2, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Thomas Woodrow Wilson

1919

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"ALLIES MUST RECOGNIZE AMERICAN RIGHTS"

HARDING REJECTS LEAGUE, CALLS FOR NEW ASSOCIATION OF NATIONS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 12, 1921, President Warren G. Harding delivered his first address to the Congress of the United States and was welcomed by "tumultuous applause by the overwhelming Republican majorities in the House and Senate."

The President emphasized the United States government "will never join the existing League of Nations."  Mr. Harding called for a ratification of the Versailles Treaty with "reservations and modifications."

President Harding insisted that "there could be no going forward" until the Allied nations recognize American rights.

SOURCE

"Reject League, Ratify Modified Treaty and Form A New Association of Nations Harding Urges," by Carter Field, New York Tribune, April 13, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 President Harding Addresses Crowd

October 26 1921

Birmingham, Alabama 

Keystone View Company

The Literary Digest 

MY GOD, THE PRESIDENT IS PARALYZED!

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 2086

PRESIDENT WILSON SUFFERED STROKE 97 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Ninety-seven years ago today, October 2, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a massive stroke at the White House here in the Nation's Capital.

The President had returned to the Executive Mansion after collapsing while on a whistle-stop tour across the country to gain support for the Versailles Treaty which he helped negotiate in France at the end of World War I.  The controversial peace treaty included a League of Nations which was to be a body of international cooperation to prevent another world war.

According to Eyewitness to History, Edith Galt Wilson found her husband on the floor of the bathroom of their private quarters.  He was unconscious and bleeding from a cut on the head.

The President's personal physician, Dr.Cary T. Grayson, was quickly summoned.  After a ten minute examination, he came out in the hall and said...

"My God, the President is paralyzed."

President Wilson lay on the Lincoln bed.  According to witnesses, "he looked as if he were dead."

The stroke, which left the President paralyzed on his left side, effectively ended Wilson's ability to influence the Senate vote on the treaty or, in fact, to conduct the daily business required of the President of the United States.  The public, however, was kept in the dark regarding the severity of the stroke or of the President's condition.

The Treaty of Versailles was not ratified by the Senate but President Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919.  He died four years later in Washington, D.C.  He is buried in the National Cathedral.

SOURCES

"A President's Illness Kept Under Wraps," by Michael Alison Chandler, February 3, 2007, The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/

"President Wilson Suffers a Stroke, 1919," Eyewitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/

President Woodrow Wilson &

Dr. Cary T. Grayson

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Photo

Woodrow Wilson's Sarcophagus

National Cathedral

Tony Fisher Photography

December 29, 2009

www.flicker.com

WOODROW WILSON'S STROKE

WOODROW WILSON SUFFERS STROKE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Ninety-five years ago today, October 2, 1919, 28th President of the United States Woodrow Wilson suffered a massive stroke at the White House here in the Nation's Capital.

The President had returned to the Executive Mansion after collapsing while on a whistle-stop tour across the country to gain support for the Versailles Treaty which he helped negotiate in France at the end of World War I.

The controversial peace treaty included a League of Nations which was to be a body of international cooperation to prevent another world war.

Wilson's tour had begun on September 2, 1919.  He was giving up to three speeches each day, but collapsed after speaking in Pueblo, Colorado on October 2, 1919.

The stroke, which left the President paralyzed on his left side, effectively ended Wilson's ability to influence the Senate vote on the treaty or, in fact, to conduct the daily business required of the President of the United States.

The public, however, was kept in the dark regarding the severity of the stroke or of the President's condition.

The Treaty of Versailles was not ratified by the Senate but President Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919.  He died four years later in Washington, D.C.  He is buried in the National Cathedral.

Woodrow Wilson's Sarcophagus

National Cathedral

Tony Fisher Photography

December 29, 2009

www.flicker.com