Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-13

to repeal a law that raised that ques-
ton? The repeal of the law cannot be
construed to be a construction of the
treaty. 1t is simply refusal on the
| part of the United States to raise
that question in that way. In the con-
| troversy over the Welland canal, Can
ada withdrew a discrimination which
she had made in favor of Canadian
ships, in order that no cause for
friction with the United States au-
thorities in regard to the matter should
exist
why cannot the United States
withdraw a discrimination for the
same reason? When this treaty involv-
ed was before the Senate for ratifica-
ton an attempt was made to SO amend
it as to permit a discrimination in
favor of coastwise vessels but it was
voted down by a decided majority.
With this record to support them, is
it strange that foreign nations ques-
ton our right to make an exception
in favor of American vessels?"
Discussing the Presidents right to
expect the support of Congress when
he deals with international questions,
Secretary Bryan adds:
1.-The Chief Executive speaks for the
nation in international affairs, and it
is only fair to assume that he speaks
advisedly when he declares that inter-
course with other nations is seriously
embarrassed by the free tolls law
which he seeks to repeal.
I'VE occupy today a proud position
among the nations; we are the fore
most advocate of peace and arbitra-
ton; we are becoming more and more
a moral factor throughout the world.
Can we afford to surrender this posi-
ton? Can we afford to belittle the
great enterprise which has reached
its contamination at the Isthmus? If
our nation desires to be measured by
intellectual and ethical standards, how
unworthy to brag of our strength and
to threaten to use that strength. We
are ready to fight does not arouse the
enthusiasm now that it did a few CEN
turtles ago. Brute force is not the lev
el upon which this nation settles its
controversies today. The question is
not what we can do but what we ought
to do The path of history Is strewn
with the wreck of nations that boosted
that they were all powerful. This
question must be decided on moral
principles and not by the counting of
ou1 regiments and battleships. What
shall il profit nation if it conquers
the whole world and loses its faith
in the doctrine that righteousness ex-
alteth a nation?''
Mr. Bryan was member of the
resolutions committee of the Baltimore
hi cINea .
the platform constitute his first utter
anco on the subject. Mr.. Bryan argues
that there are two planks in the Bal
timore platform, pertinent to the dis
cussion, one which declares the be-
lief of the Democratic party in the
encouragement of the merchant ma
rine but states that 1t should be de-
velopcd without imposing additional
burdens upon the people and without
bounty or subsidies from the public
treasures" and a second plank de-
claring in favor of the exemption from
tolls of American coastwise ships. Mr..
Bryan declares that the opposition to
bounties is a doctrine for which the
Democratic party has stood from time
lmmemorial." He refers to the ex-
emption plank as a little plank and
to the pronouncement on bounties and
subsidies as the larger plan" and
says:
What opiate does the little plank
contain that it can make those who
accept it oblivious of the larger plank?
BY what rule of construction can the
small plank be made binding and the
large one ignored? The secret of the
strange power exerted by the little
plank is to be found in the fact that
it carefully conceals the means by
which it is to be carried out. Had the
word subsidy for bounty been in
serted in this plank, 1t could not have
secured the endorsement of the con-
vention because the contradiction be-
tween this plank and the larger plank
would have been used in the drawing
of this plank that was used in the
drawing of the plank on the merchant
marine, it would have read as follows:
we favor the exemption from toll of
American ships engaged in eoastwise |
trade passing through the canal but |
without imposing additional burdens |
upon the people and without bounties |
or subsidies from the public treasury |
but even il the platform had not |
contained within itself q complete !
of the position taken by the /
advocates Of free tolls. the President |
would have been justified in the posi-
ton that he took by the changed con- /
ditiors which confronted him. A plat |
form In pledge and is as binding I
upon an official as the command Of |
military officer Ia upon O subordinate I
tho statement cannot be made strong
or. nut tho subordinate officer is
sometimes compelled to act upon his
Judgment where change of which
The commanding officer Ia not aware
has taken place In conditions.
IL Ia not only the right OF the SUBJ
ordinate to Judge the situation for
himself where conditions have changed
sinee the order was given, but 1t Ia
lis duty tn ca sas IN the ease Under
the President taisss Fe-
fer an official act which
20 regards AZ RseessaFy fer his eauH=
rvs welfare, and th0 Be6Bis must