Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-07
Tn. Election and the President.

TO the people, tndt ne uiu 90 tAde
there might be no more folly OF
considering Bryan's name in ma
ttoual convention. Later we have
suspected him of listening to the
Nebraskan more than he had in
tended or ought But the most re-
cent bad advice we hesitate to at
tribute to Mr.. Bryan. Whoever ad-
vised President Wilson to listen to the
selfish demagogues who sought to &C
complish their own narrow aims
through the Presidents personal popu-
larity, either lacked ordinary political
sagacity or had no respect for the
dignity of the high office and secretly
wished to lower the Presidents
standing in the respect of the people
We refer to the folly Of giving out
numbers of letters Of endorsement of
candidates here and there simply be-
cause they were Democrats, The peo-
pie themselves, nearer the candidates.
have answered in a way that is hu-
initiating to the President. His SUBJ
mission to the clamor of politicians
posing as his friends has proven cost
iy to his prestige and has not helped
them. They hoped to pull through,
not on their own merits but on his
strength. That is why they were
bowling: Thank God for wilson,"
Much as we disagree with President
Wilson's policies, we believe him to be
great. honest. though mistaken man.
The people of the country have ex-
pressed the same opinion, as we inter-
pref it. They respect the scholarly
gentleman, but they reject the des-
tructive tariff, the impairment of
American rights to curry favor
abroad, new war" taxes to cover
deficits caused by other policies dis
organizing business, the reputation of
promises and the reversal of public
declarations
The Democratic party was placed a
power by accident. 1t had no license
to upset the often emphasized verdict
of majority of the American people
lr favor of protection. 1t proceeded
to enact program of radical legisla-
ton. 1t sowed the wind while count
Ing upon the Progressive party to las.
long enough to enable it to harvest
crop of economic miracles. On Tues
day 1t reaped the wilirlwind of Ameri-
can displeasure and disapproval The
people saw their folly much sooner
than expected. Two years ago the
time had come when they would
mot endure sound doctrine" They
turned away from truth" for a time,
and embraced the blatant faith of
piff1e. But they turned back again to
conservative consideration before
swallowing of radicalism. The jeer
and reviling of "standpat" and re
dictionary" no longer leave a sting.
The people have measured up the
howlers and today "standpat" has
come to mean honest care: "reac-
tionary," to mean frank opposition to
the crazy maunderings of gamblers in
policies.
The New York Press thinks no OPP
position should be raised to the mis-
taken policies of Democracy. 1t sug-
gests that the administration be given
more rope; that it be allowed to 60
the limit, and that the country should
so thoroughly learn its lesson, that
the eHeets will be lasting. That Is
much along the same line as the ar
gument that tbs war should not be
stopped until the world is so exhaust
ed that it can fight no longer, then il
would be ready for universal peace.
Our New York exchange says:
1t were better that the President retain
control. by however slight a margin or
y necessary even by combination, of the
rouse OF Representatives as well as the
Senate. '.'e
There could be no possible way for the
$500 Va TIC american people upon Mr.,
Wilson'S administration to go into full
erect until after the election of 1916.
deanwhile. whenever Mr.. Wilson and his
senate wish to go further with their
tneories. there ought to be no check upon
them in the House Of Representatives
II there is any way for them TO rescue
themselves from the political wreck
winch Is now clearly marked ahead of
tnem they ought to have the chance
On the other hand, IL there is any fur
ther limit OF mistaken policies and dan
9erous programmes they ought to have
free hand In going that limit.
After the election of Tuesday II ia as
clear as sunshine that the American peo-
PIE have had all they want of Mr.. vii
son and his party in control of the United
States Government But Ii will not do
the American people any harm TO get
even more than they want
II Will be better for them in the long
run to get 30 much of Mr. Wilson =
ADMINISTRATION that when they go TO the
polls two years from now to determine
the Senate and the Presidency, as well
a. the House OF Representatives they not
only viii clean up things from ton to
bottom, but will clean them up for a long
enough time to let this country stand IN
on It's feet again, with all the Industrial
and commercial wounds entirely healed
its business strength fully restored and
its face Get In supreme confidence toward
a long period of health, wealth and hap
pfness.
The American people have paid dear
prizes tor the election OF 1912, turning Con-
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