The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-14
TUESDAY, APRIL IA, 1914.
HAS BROKEN THE FAITH

In the course of events, it some
times happens that a great politi-
cal party must depart from its es-
tablished principles. Whenever
this happens, the party is able to
give a good and satisfactory rea-
son for the departure. President
Wilson has departed from the
Democratic faith as expressed in
the last national platform in more
than one particular. His first de-
parture relates to the question of
one term for himself. The bills
which were introduced in con-
gress looking to an amendment
of the constitution limiting the
term of the president to one term
were quietly put to sleep. The
explanation is that the president
can have a better control of con-
gress by being able to hold out
to the members that he may sue
coed himself. This is minor
matter but it breaks the faith just
the same and impairs the value
of platform declarations.
The most serious departure
from the platform is the effort of
the president to have congress
repeal the law giving ships en-
gagged in the coastwise trade free
passage of the canal. The dem
ocratic party in its national con-
ventiCn, went on record as favor
ing this exemption. The presi-
dent gave his hearty expression
OF approval to the whole of the
platform and spec, ically to this
plank of the same. In public ad-
dresses, he gave his sanction and
also the great benefits it would
bring to our people. He now
repudiateS the same and demands
a repeal of the law. If he would
take the people in his confidence
and point out to them a good
and sufficient reason for his &C
ton, he may receive a hearty
support from them. But when
he refuses to do so and steadily
maintains profound silence, he
leaves himself open to severe
cenSure. 1t is true that he has
stated that he was impressed
with the idea that this country
was under solemn obligations to
the other nations of the world
to maintain the canal on equal
terms to all. Had he stopped
there, this country would have
given a patient and most respect
full hearing to his request for a
repeal of the law. But his state
ment was coupled with a sugges-
ton that there was some great
international something pending,
making a grave crisis in the af-
fairs of this country but Of which
he was not at liberty to speak
and he has refused to declare to
the people what that vague, in
definite, indefneable thing was
which so vitality affected their
welfare. In this he has commit
ted an error. If a matter of this
kind is pending, the people should
know what it is in order that
they may meet the issue intelli-
gently and in the open. He is
their leader and as such he must
take them into his confidence
How can one lead unless his fol
lowers know the lead? How Car
they support him while they are
left in the dark? AS it now is
they have thrown over them
suspicion that the country ha!
had some threat made against i
and that the president is yeildin!
to this threat. If left in this pc
sition, the affections Of the pee
pie will turn from him and h
will lose their united and heart
support. They will not be left i
this condition. If the presiden
who is their official leader, desert
them they will find another. A
it now stands, the president ha
not only broken faith with hi
party but has broken it with tn
entire people as well. Mark OF
words for it. A storm of indi!
nation will sweep over this coul
try that will completely destrC
him. He may be able to dri,
congress with whip and spur
official nafronaop and thus SlI