The Washington times., 1912-08-10
WHO PRAISES WILSON'S SPEECH ?

ing Democratic papers of the East plus the standpa
publications within the Republican party, have at
tended to that task
BY way Of preface, it will be recalled that Wilson
is supposed to be progressive. His nomination Al
Baltimore was supposed to be victory over the
reactionary influences within his party represented
by such men as Parker Ryan, and Smith. Because
Wilson was alleged to be the simon-pure, blown
in-thebottle progressive, the only real tribune Of
the people whose name was before that convention
Mr.. Bryan dsregarded his instructions as delegate
from Nebraska, voted against Clark, and in favor
Of Wilson. He also placed Congressman Underwood
outside the pale of responsibility from progressive
standpoint. Wilson was the Moses Of progressive
Democracy, who, with Aaron Bryan, was to lead the
hosts out of the land of bondage.
Wilson has been under two conflicting fires since
his nomination On the one hand, he has been urged
to live up to the reputation Bryan gave him as q
progressive and which he partially earned as gov
ernor Of New Jersey-the reputation which alone
enabled him to- win the nomination over Clark. Or
the other hand, he has been urged by the bosses
by Big Business, by Wall Street newspapers by mer
whose influence he needs in order to make even 8
respectable showing in the Electoral College, to &c
slow to be not rash, to remember the country mus
not be shocked by anything too radical.
The Democratic House, which has not taken
step forward in progressive legislation since it came
into power, visited him at Seagrt, and through
Speaker Clark served notice upon him that the
House would resent any attempt upon his part tc
carry out the program to which he was supposed to
be committed. All Of these facts are a matter oi
record.
Candidate Wilson has delivered his speech oi
acceptance. That speech was his Interpretation oi
the platform; it was his personal keynote as 6
candidate. What did he say? How was his speech
received? Did it suit Wall Street? Did he lister
to the progressive people, or the New York news
papers? Let us see!
The New York Sun, frankly and rabidly reaction
ary, labels its editorial comment upon the speech
Like Mr.. Taft, Governor Wilson Is Reasonable
and Sober Progressive" Enough to damn any mar
in the eyes of the people! Like Mr. Taft"-s
reasonable and sober progressivep' Continuing
it says:
What will please everybody is Governor Wilson's
equable and moderate tone &" The system upor
which American industry has long depended is not
to be recklessy shattered The foundation business
must not be too radically too suddenly disturbed
There are to be no violent changes So whether Mr.
Taft or Governor Wilson elected business far
the tariff goes is safe The trusts to be treated
In "a chapter Of readjustment of pain and rough
disturbance" Governor Wilson's program is, II
vaguely essentially constructive like Taft's it invites
public confidence.
whom Bryan alleged had no right to sit in a Demo
cratic convention, takes two columns to praisine
Candidate Wilson's speech, which it says in its open
ing sentence is mot plan of action, but politca
philosophy" It, too finds much to praise in the fac
that he promised his dealings with the trusts and
Big Business would not be accompanied with pair
or rougn disturbance" Concluding, Mr.. Belmont:
paper observes:
The Baltimore platform is obviously an embarrass
ment. 1t is Mr.. Bryans platform, not Mr. Wilson's II
was drawn to fit Candidate Bryan Candidate Wilson
Whether or not Mr. Bryan fully expected and intended
himself to stand upon the platform would be proes
inquiry. He does not stand upon it. 1t would be pre
posterous absurdy of politics to expect Mr. Wilson
stand upon it.
There you have itN Wilson, the progressive
repudiates the progressive PLATFORM repudiate.
Bryan and ali that Bryan represents He, however
satisfies Mr. Belmont!
Then comes the testimony of the New YorI
Herald the Bourbon of Republican standpat news
papers. 1t is highly pleased One reads its exulta
ton that Candidate Wilson advocates "tremores
earthquake" Farther on we are comforted by tn,
assurance tnat "the tariff is going to come down, bu
is to alight on a feather bed" Continuing, il ap
plauds as follows:
There is to be mo revolution" There is to be n,
excited change" There is only to be substitution
new point of view" "a spirit of counsel" The tariff
schedules must not be too radically too suddenly dis
turbed' When we act I'VE should act with caution
and prudence will be "a chapter of readjustment
not of pain and rough disturbance" The governor h
not seeking destruction of any kind"
The Philadelphia Record is utterly frank
reviews the speech and is rejoiced to find that there
is not word of radcasm in it, not suggestion
OF hostility to the political institutions of the country
whether it be Murphy, Guffey Belmont Taggart
Nugent Penrose, Barnes, or Guggenheim.
In Wilson's announcement that the tariff sched
ules must not be too radically or too suddenly dis
lt,,rh he Rnl