Typical of the
standard he sets for himself was the admirable restraint he showed
after his abrupt dismissal from the Cabinet. He neither sought
vindication through the newspapers, nor posed as a victim, nor
soothed his feelings by denunciations of the President; he did not
make a nuisance of himself by inflicting the recital of his
grievances upon his friends or hinting darkly at revelations. He
kept quiet and went about his affairs as a gentleman should.
Why, it may be asked, should a man with so many fine qualities have
cut such a sorry figure? The answer perhaps is that he suffers from
the defects of his qualities, fine as we must admit them to be; too
fine, perhaps, for a coarser world.
When a weak and somewhat easy-going man, immensely pleased with his
own exalted position, has to deal with a man of iron will, ruthless
in his methods, he is necessarily at a disadvantage. Considering
Mr. Lansing's temperamental defects and the effect of his training,
his failure is no mystery.
Until Mr. Lansing became Secretary of State he had never known
responsibility. Practically his entire life had been spent as a
subordinate, carrying out with zeal and intelligence the tasks
assigned to him, but always in obedience to a stronger mind.
Nothing more weakens character or intellect than for a man
habitually to turn to another for direction or inspiration; always
to play the part of an inferior to a mental superior.
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