Wilson (1944)

Alexander Knox: Woodrow Wilson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Woodrow Wilson : I'm sorry I won't be able to stay for the inauguration ceremonies, but Mr. Harding and Mr. Coolidge have been kind enough to excuse me. I told them it was bad enough for the senate to throw me down without my stumbling and falling up the steps on my own account.

• Woodrow Wilson : [Reading a newspaper clipping]  A weak and imbecile man, the weakest I've ever knew in a high place. If I wanted to paint a despot, a man perfectly regardless of every Constitutional right of the people, I would paint his hideous form.

  Eleanor Wilson : That's outrageous!

  Woodrow Wilson : When he goes out of office next March, the whole country except thieves, cowards, public plunderers, office holders, and traitors will rejoice.

  Edith Bolling Galt : [Slamming down a coffee pot]  Woodrow, that's the last straw! You've got to do something about it. They've no right to say such things about you, even to win an election.

  Woodrow Wilson : Oh, they weren't talking about me. That's what they said about Abraham Lincoln when he was running for reelection in 1864.

• [last lines] 

  Woodrow Wilson : The President has nothing further to communicate. Good day, sir.

• Woodrow Wilson : Well, Mrs. President...

  Edith Bolling Galt : Woodrow!

  Woodrow Wilson : What's on tap for today?

  Edith Bolling Galt : [smiling]  Don't you dare to call me that.

• Woodrow Wilson : Let us make clear to all the world what our motives and objectives are. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and freedom of nations can make them. It is a fearful thing to lead this great, peaceful people into war. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts. For democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own government, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself, at last, free. Through such a task, we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes... Everything we are... And everything that we have... With the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness... And the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.

• Woodrow Wilson : We are not exactly fools! We know about the spies you've sent among us in an effort to corrupt our opinions through lies and rumors and of your ceaseless attempts to sabotage our industry and commerce. Unfortunately, some of our own people have fallen in with your plans. Day after day, I see them going up and down this country, crying out in their innocence that this is just another European war that can't touch America, building up a false illusion of safety and security, appealing to our ancient traditions of isolation. While you smile behind their backs and go right ahead with your evil plans of world conquest and exploitation... Is your kaiser so contemptuous of American military prowess? Does he think we're so weak and disunited just because we prefer peace to war that we will not fight in any circumstances? Or is he so drunk with power that he can't understand that such action will unite this nation as never before in its history and that he has made it clear at last that this is, in truth, a fight for freedom and decency against the most evil and autocratic power this world has ever seen?