Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-22
HOPE OF DEMOCRACY
Must Adhere to Progressive
Policy, Says Gov. Wilson.
RAPS EX-SENATOR SMITH
Speaks in Opposition to Latter's
Candidacy.
CALLS HIM A REACTIONARY
Presidential Nominee Urges Voters,
in Address at Jersey City, to
Support Hughes.

JERSEY CITY, n. j., September 2t.-
in a speech on the New Jersey senatorial
situation that the only condition upon
which the democratic party can gain the
confidence Of the nation is that it should
have itself through and through abso-
lutely committed to progressive policy"
The governor spoke here and at Ho-
boken in opposition to the candidacy of
former United States Senator James
Smith, jr.. and in behalf of Representa-
tive William Hughes for the Office OF
United States senator, to he voted on in
the state primaries next Tuesday
The governor declared at the outset
that it was his duty as spokesman of the
democratic party in the state to warn the
people that James Smith. jr.. was not
progressive, but reactionary. He de-
clared that it was no personal contest.
and that if Mr.. Smith were his dear
est friend and held the same opinions
that he does he would feel obliged to
oppose him.
No Personal Feeling.
Il have never been aware of any per-
sonal feeling on my part in any political
contest against any individual" said the
governor. There is no man in New Jer-
sey that 1 care to fight or TO oppose be-
cause of his personal qualities. They are
neither here nor there. The United States
is not choosing men now by their pri-
vate characters merely; it is not choos-
ing them for their Inability; it is not
choosing them because they are fine fell
lows-but 1T is choosing them because
they understand the interests of America
at this present moment. And many a
man bred in the old school of politics
is being rejected now, not because he
does not hold his convictions honestly,
but because he holds convictions from
which the country has turned away.
eve are at a critical juncture in the
history of America and at very critical
juncture In the history of the democratic
party. There is only one condition upon
which the democratic party can gain
the confidence of the nation. and that
condition is that ii should have itself
through and through absolutely commit
ted to progressive policy. Just SO GER
tainly as it turns back, just SO certainly
as it makes any other choice 1t Will be
rejected now and need nave no hope
whatever of being chosen again for our
generation. The amazing thing TO me is
that men do not everywhere see this;
the amazing thing to me Is that men do
not see that those who are put not only
at the head of a ticket. but in every place
on every ticket must represent this new
impulse Of democracy or else democracy
will be discredited.
Great Progressive Force.
Eve are not speaking our own individ-
ual opinions. We are the spokesman of
a great progressive force in this nation.
Why is it that some men who would
naturally ally themselves with third
party in this nation are now refusing to
do so? Because they say there was no
excuse for the formation Of that party
after the profession of principles and the
nominations of the Baltimore convention.
Before the campaign began the very
leaders of that party admitted that
stood by the very thing that they profess
to stand for; and the contest now as be-
tween parties is to gain the permanent
confidence of the people of the United
States, who have made up their minds
that we must move forward with the
necessities of politics. Therefore. any
man who stands in the way of this great
movement of humanity must stand aside
He cannot walk with the triumphant
hosts of the great democracy.
I'm a statement which he has just Is
sued Mr. Smith distinctly takes his part
his side-with those who mean to main
tain the present protective tarfn. He puts
1t upon the ground that 1t is in the inter-
est of the American workingman. Now,
am not going to stop to urge whether
1t was in the interest of the American
workngman or not. before the monOpolfes
grew up that are now irving TO brHaS tae
backs of organized j. 70. = - g
who hay" 'f,Ea I" f% ~ -
the pos.t. tt 'fef n =. "a = ID
means of Ii. =. ~. tie + -nfs {
labor. and when ,hene ca "f 81
tariff are not the friehds OF tie ABB: n.