Monopoly must be destroyed! This was the slogan during the campaign; it was the subject of Mr. Wilson's utterances between his election and his inauguration; and it was the heart of his inaugural address. But this dangerous dragon was too powerful and too deadly to be slain by the arm of a single knight, even though he were clothed with the strength of Sir Galahad. Mr. Wilson had intimated that he would assemble Congress for the purpose of beginning his reforms. And men wondered.

The Democratic party had apparently lost the habit of cooperating as a unit. Moreover, it was argued that the Democratic party, although it had been protesting for a generation against abuses in the government, was, like the Republican party, so boss-ridden that no man could lead it as a unit against the wrongs that cried aloud for redress. Furthermore, it was believed that when a party long out of power comes into control of the government, it is possessed of an enthusiasm and a loyalty that gives it a certain degree of unity, and makes it for the moment amenable to wise leadership. But with continued power, more and more factionalism would appear and refractory spirits would obstruct the administration's policies. Then the old-time machine politicians would step into the breach and governmental processes would continue very much as in the past. And a degree of pessimism appeared in the hearts of honest men who were hopeful the day after the elec

tion that the new administration would "effect a great readjustment and get the forces of the whole people once more into play."

The destiny of this nation was completely in the hands of the Democratic party. This new guardian, having been out of power for so many years, and now being flushed with victory, was eager to take charge and begin the journey. On this point the Executive and the Legislative departments were in complete harmony. The President's vision for "new freedom" for all Americans was clearly the vision of the party in control of Congress. Therefore, their purposes were identical. Such were the prospects on April 8, when the New Congress, in response to the President's call, met in special session.

CHAPTER IV

A NEW TARIFF: THE FIRST STAGE IN THE JOURNEY TO NEW FREEDOM

President Wilson had been a close student of politics and of history in-the-making, for more than a quarter of a century. He was plainly aware of the fact that his greatest influence would, in all probability, be in the beginning of his administration. Therefore, it was no surprise to the nation when he called Congress to meet in special session so soon after his inauguration. Simultaneously, he announced that he would not be pestered with office seekers; that no office seeker need call on him except upon invitation, because he would devote his best thought and energies to the larger questions and those most vital to the country; and the nation applauded this act as a promise of greater efficiency.

The new life in the government was so vigorous that the thoughtful men of the country began to advise Big Business to adjust itself as soon as possible to a new tariff law, since it was evident that the Administration meant to act promptly, and it seemed to be morally certain that a new tariff law would be enacted.

Immediately after the call was issued for an extraordinary session of Congress committees from the House and Senate became very active studying rates and schedules and revenue. "It will be little short of criminal for Big Business to wait until the new tariff law is a fact and then cry 'panic,' was the warning

to the business of the country.

However, the vigor of the new life was so exhilarating that the public mind was drawn temporarily away from the great issue, and speculation was rife as to who would be the real leader of this incoherent Democratic party. Would any one man be able to unify it, make it coherent, and direct it as a disciplined body of trained workers capable of holding the safety of all the people in its grasp? Would a great leader be developed and would the new Democratic administration be famous because of such a leader in Congress? Would the new President become such a leader? Or would the party disintegrate and wait for the old party to step back into power? Would a new party, like that that brought Jackson and Lincoln into the White House be formed? We were clearly at the beginning of a new era. Who would become the statesman of the hour?

Congress convened April 8, 1913. It had already been heralded abroad that President Wilson, in his first official relations to the newly assembled Congress, would overturn a century-old precedent by appearing

in person at the joint session of both Houses of Congress to deliver his first message. The practice, born of the British "Address from the Throne," was established in this country by Washington, continued by Adams, but abandoned by Jefferson, and for 112 years the Presidents had sent all their messages to Congress, most of which were unusually long and tiresome, to be read by clerks, while the members for the most part attended to other duties.

Mr. Wilson, however, was serious in proposing to appear in person at the first session. He was advised that such an act would be revolutionary and would be resented by both Houses. The act would savor too much of the methods of a dictator; and it was the intention of the Fathers that the Executive and the Legislative departments should forever remain independent of each other.

In anticipation of the event the galleries were crowded long before the appointed hour, and Capitol Hill was thronged with thousands unable to gain entrance to the House of Representatives. The hour arrived, but there was some delay. It was a tense moment. Then the Senators filed in, thirty minutes late, in formal dress, dignified, some of them sullen. One Senator remarked that he hoped this would be the last time the Senate of the United States would be humiliated by being called to the House Chamber to receive a message from the "throne." The two Houses