I promised (fingers crossed) I would quit writing about presidents after I finished with Truman. After all, I haven’t seen any other presidents. But I did and will write a little about Woodrow Wilson. Not that I am some sort of expert historian on these guys, but like you, I do read books and newspapers. And my reading of one certain book years ago, “When the Cheering Stopped”, had stirred my interest in this interesting man and his wife Edith. Edith took a real interest in President Wilson’s work and life. She understood the inherent power of the office and its importance to America and actually, to the world.

Edith traveled with the President’s train in California and no doubt gave him more advice than he had ever asked for. He had traveled to California when his many speeches promoting the League of Nations had strained him to his ultimate physical limits. There he suffered a stroke which struck the president down. Wife Edith had the train stop so Woodrow could walk around and rest a bit.

His wife (already used to bossing people around) then ordered the presidential train to head to Washington at full speed as the president’s party rode helplessly in the presidential coach. Stopping only long enough for fuel and water, it arrived in Washington, DC in the middle of the night. On the way to the White House from the depot, a few bystanders knew something was wrong with the president. Mr. Wilson kept on raising and tipping his top hat to barren and empty sidewalks as his car sped back to the White House.

Edith continued in charge. Wilson had lost his ability to speak and seemed not to be aware of where, who or what he was. His faithful doctor kept quiet (in public) about Wilson’s actual condition. Edith knew that the president was in no shape under any standards to execute his duties. So, Edith became the de-facto president. She soon learned to forge Wilson’s name. I think she liked her role.

A guy named Henry Cabot Lodge Sr. was the big wig of Republican Leadership and he smelled a rat. He never liked Wilson and was an opponent of Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations movement. After several weeks of Edith’s subterfuge Henry was about to have a conniption fit. He suspected Edith had taken over the presidency. Illegally. He demanded to see Wilson. Edith was hard pressed to resist but did so for a few more weeks.

Meanwhile. Wilson was improving. Some days he could even speak and Edith and the doctor were very busy coaching him. He could sit up a bit. She was training him to pass himself off as competent. Edith liked being the de-facto president. Finally, Lodge and three others were allowed in and were ushered up to the propped-up president. Woodrow did fairly well and when the senators exited, they each came by and shook the president’s hand. Lodge said, “I’m praying for you Mr. President.” “Which way brother, which way?” replied Wilson. That was good enough as Wilson kept on in office. Lodge had failed. Woodrow even wanted to run again but his doctor intervened. Wilson served out his term and quietly faded away into the pages of history in 1921. He died on February 2, 1924. I guess if one is a President and he is stricken with a stroke, he needs his wife help him stay in office.

Be sure and go to church Sunday. Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com