Never have the men associated
with Mr. Knox questioned his capacity.
Robert Lansing, when he was Secretary of State, said of him;
"Senator Lodge will not understand the treaty but he will fight for
it for political reasons. Senator Knox will understand it
thoroughly."
The observation seems almost prophetic in the light of what has
since been disclosed. Mr. Lansing's faith in Mr. Knox's judgment
seems to have been fully justified. I know of no one who has held
more steadfastly the respect of colleagues in the Senate or at the
Cabinet table, nor who has been more easily successful up to a
certain point or so singularly unsuccessful beyond it. He has done
valiant service for his country but he has failed lamentably to
reach the heights from which he could look upon broader horizons.
In the early days of his career no one strove more whole heartedly.
Destiny smiled upon him and the White House seemed to beckon. He
was not unaware of the opportunity nor was there anyone more eager
to grasp it. But he discovered that he could not stir the
enthusiasm that begets political power. The secret, which enabled
many other men, many of whom he despised, to succeed, was not his.
A temperamental dislike of the methods of politicians was followed
by a strong animosity towards those who crossed his political path
and some of those who went along beside it.
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