American Philosophical Society to Woodrow Wilson
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The American Philsophical Society extends its cordial congratulations to you, as one of its fellow members, upon your accession to the Presidency of the United States. You carry into public life the ideals of the scholar; and you will show in the New World, as had been proved so often in the Old, that philosophical training, in the best and broadest sense of the term, is a help to the practical statesman. Your studies in history and in political science will illuminate your task of giving to the Nation a wise and strong Government.
It was Montesquieu, the good genius of the makers of our National Constitution, who said that for a safe voyage for the Ship of State the spirit of the laws should serve as compass and history should be the chart. This Society confidently believes that you have at your command this compass and this chart; that with your firm hand at the helm the Ship of State will safely ride the seas; and that you, like those of your distinguished predecessors in the Presidency who were its members, will help to make the future history of the Nation worthy of its past.
Several times since the founding of the Republic The American Philosophical Society has had cause for congratulation in the selection of one of its members as President of the United States. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, the second Adams, Buchanan and Grant were honored names upon its roll before the popular vote inscribed them in the list of American Presidents. To you, the eighth in turn of its members to enter upon this high office, this Society extends its warmest greeting.
Given under the Seal and in the name of The American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful Knowledge, this seventh day of March, 1913.
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