The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-04-13

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this plank and the larger plank woul,
have becE Immediately apparent. /
The same care had been used i'm th'
drawing ~ this plank that was use'
in the drawing OF the plank ON IN,
merchant marine; We favor the cN-
cmption from toll OF American ships
engag ed in Coastwise trade passinl
through the canal but without impos-
Ing additional burdens upon the peopl,
and without bounties or subsidies from
the public treasury
Must Safeguard Welfare.
"But even if the platform had not
contained within itself complete refu-
tation Of the position taken 10y the adj
vooaies OF free tolls. the president
would have been justified i'm the posi-
tion that ne took by the changed con-
ditions which confronted him. \ plat
form is pledge and is as binding upon
an official as the command of mill
tary officer is upon subordnate-tEe
statement cannot be made stronger.
But the subordinate officer is some
times compelled To act upon his judg-
ment where a change of which the
commanding officer is not aware has
taken place i'm conditions. 1t Is not
only the right OF the subordinate 20
judge the situation for himself where
conditions have changed since tie or
der was giVen, but il is his duty to do
SO. In the case under consideration the
president takes responsibility for an
official act which he regards as neces.
sary for his country's welfare. and the
people must decide whether or not he
is justified; and those who refuse TO
act with him also assume responsibility
and they, too, must abide the judg
ment Of the public. Such a change has
taken place since the Baltimore plat
In convention assembled been confront
ed by the condition which now exists
and had they known what those now
know who voted for repeal. no such
plank would ever have been placed In
the platform. The conventions atten-
ton was not even brought TO the fact
that a majority of the Democrats IN
the House had voted against the free
tolls measure and that il had in fact
been passed by a combination of mi
nority of the Democrats and majority
II the Republicans"
Mr.. Bryan says that platform planks
dealing with international questions,
must be accepted with the understand
ng that We act Jointly with other ma
lions in international affairs that
aven If the plank had not been contra
iicted by another plank in the platform
md even If it had not concealed a
subsidy policy repuenant to Demo-
ratio principle and history that even
( conditions had not changed. a plat
'orm plank should he taken on inter-
rational question "as the expression of
/ wish rather than as the expression OF
/ determination, for no nation can af-
ord To purchase a small advantage in
he face of a universal protest"
IF "A nation" continued the sccrc-
airy desire To array itself against the
world, il should he sure that the thing
which il is to gain is worth what 1t
osts. The president, knowing that ev-
ny commercial nation except our own
onstrues the treaty as a pledge of
quail treatment. would have been re-
rcant to this trust had he failed to
Joint out to the American people that
'ur diplomatic relations would be seri-
usly disturbed by the carrying out Of
he free tolls policy"
Considering the repeal measure upon
Is merits, Mr.. Bryan said there were
uSt two question To be- decided:
First, it is desirable for the Demo-
ratio party to abandon its historic po-
ition and become the advocate Of sub
idies and bounties? And second. if It
$ desirable, what is the Democratic
'arty willing TO sacrifice in interna-
ional prestige and world influence in
rider TO secure the advantage which
hcse subsidies promise to few peo-
de-"