The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-02
THURSDAY. APRIL 2. 1914.
President Wilson's
Onposition In Congress.

The Wilson opposition in congress,
en- the canal tolls repeal question, is
getting scant support from representa-
tive newspapers or people anywhere,
either inside or outside of the demo-
cratic party. One of the notable sup
porters of the president is the New
York World which refers to the ac-
ton of two of the opposition leaders
as follows:
The treaty -sma shing coastwise-
shipping subsidy combination went
down to defeat yesterday in the house
OF representatives.
Speaker Clark has cast his lot. with
the anti -administrationists in the
house. He is willing to play Cassius
TO Mr.. UndeFwoods Brutus. But the
poverty of the argument with which
he excuses his adhesion to the anti
Wilson cabal does little credit either
To his courage or his ingenuity.
The country would have more re-
spect for Mr.. Clark IL he had said
opcaly that he was against the Sims
bin either because the Democratic ma
tional platform was against it or be-
cause the president was for it. Fur
tbermore, If he was going to take a
hand with Brutus Underwood in ere
jccting the presidents request for re-
peal on grounds Of national honor he
might as well have gone the limit and
said either that breaking. the nay
Pauncefote treaty was in itself a good
thing or that breaking it was justi-
fed in order to vote assistance out of
the treasury to the coastwise shipping
interests.
President Wilson's stand for good
faith in the observance of our treaties
has been one OF the manifest acts of
his administration. He confessed an
error of judgment which he had made
and which his party platform had
made. 1t takes grit for a statesman
not only to admit a wrong but to ac-
cept personal responsibility for right
ing that wrong. TheN president put
himself on high ground when he un-
dertook to secure the repeal OF the
coastwise shipping tolls exemption
clause of the Panama canal law. He
also risked much, because he invited
attack from all those elements in con-
gress which for personal or other rea-
sons are dissatisfied with his leader
ship. They could unite to defeat him
under the cover of loyalty to the Dem
0cratic platform. But SO clear is his
ease that the coalition of malcontents
has not been able to overcome him.
Underwood. Clark. Tammany Hall, the
ship subsidy interests, the Pacific
Coast advocates of cheap freights at
the cost of the government and the
Baltimore platform lHeraliSts have all
fought him in vain. Because he is
right and has the country with him
itAG EOHSHtIdAOES al w dStAitS IOai h4NG
SO far gashed nothing but thin air.
The New York Herald says:
The Importance of this split to the
democratic party lies in it's disclosure
of the antagonism felt toward PFesi-
dent Wilson by certain pFofeSsedly
democratic interests that are back OF
the men leading the fight. Champ
Clark is merely pawn in big game.
These interests have seized upon the
tolls question because il furnishes a
lot of good material with which to de-
hide the "mossbaclS" of democracy.
white House domination" "repudia-
ton of party platform" a surrender
10 Great Britain''-what a fine series
of Indictments in one single issue!
If there is trouble ahead for Presi-
dent Wilson and his party, it is due
10 the composition of the party. With
the intelligence of the country Wood
row Wilson was never stronger than
he is today. q
The New York Sun says:
The United States owes it to itself
to keep it's word. The United States
owes 1t to itself, to its reputation for
cheaper and sully with chicane the
great national epic achievement OF the
Panama, canal ....... ..--...
The violation of the HayrPauncefote
treaty. the breaking of solemn prom
Use given for good and sufficient con-
siderations. this is the unanswerable
reason for the repeal of the tolls ex-
emption clause, The sole and supreme
"exigency'' is honor. Here if any
where idealism should not have yielded
to opportunism.
The St Louis Post Dispatch says:
Mr.. Underwood opposes repeal of
the Coastwise Shipping Trusts Pan
anna Canal rebate-an act strongly
urged on the highest ground of ma
tional honor and economic justice. by
President Wilson.
The distinguished Alaba milan has
rendered valuable service to the coun-
try on other occasions. but in this is
sue he stands with the railroad-owned
shipping trust against fair play and
i'm violation of the nations solemn
treaty pledges.
In his speech in congress, referring
to the fight being led by Clark and
Underwood. Representative Hardwick
Of Georgia, said.
"win you stand with this great DEM
ocrafic president in his plea for the
national honor? Yes or no? Under
which nag VIII you night? viii you
night under the nag OF these gentle
men who assail their own party lead
ership and desert their own admins
tration, stabbing IL in the back with
out q moments notice and without
an instant's warning, or will you fol-
low the glorious democrat from New
Jersey. who has made this country it's
greatest president since the days of
Thomas JeffersonT"
Referring to Champ Clark, who
Joined last night in the eleventh hour
assault upon his own party" Repre-
sentative Hardwick continued:
II want to ask the gentleman IL he
foes not realize that If we turn Wood