The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-01-09
ALL THEY CAN DO
is SIT ON THE LID"
In His Jackson Day Speech
In Indianapolis the Presi-
dent Voiced What His
Hearers Interpreted AS a
Hint That He Might Be
a Candidate In 1916
Audience Rose To It's
Feet and Cheered.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.
indianapolis. Jan. s.-President Will
son, in his Jackson Day speech here
| today. voiced what his hearers inter-
preted as a hint that he might be a
candidate for president In 1916 The
audience Of more than four thousand
rose to its feet. and cheered until the
president called for quiet.
The president had been discussing
the Mexican question and referring to
his belief that he knew the tempera-
ment and principles of the American
people, he added he would not be fit to
stay where he was IL he did not under
stand them. There may come time"
he added, when the American people
will have to Judge whether I know
what am talking about or not" A
slight pause followed and then the
people began cheering. Realizing the
construction which had been put on
his words the president held up his
hand for silence, and eard: II did not
mean to stir up anything, and that
was merely preparatory to saying that
for at least two years more I am free
to think I know the American people,"
Previously the president had at
tackled the republican party: defended
his record and his administration on
ati4e Mexican policy, tsrifE ana curs
rency, and declared that a careful ex-
animation of the returns of the No
vember elections showed that IL it had
been presidential year the democrats
would have had a majority Of about
eighty in the electoral college.
The president criticised the repub-
lican senators opposing the govern
ment ship purchase bill. when he char
acterized them as the self styled
friends of business" He said the re-
publican party had not had a new idea
in thirty years, and that the "repub-
licans do not know how to do anything
but sit on the lid"
SHIP PURCHASE BILL.
He added the country wanted ship
purchase BILL and would have 1t. He
gravely spoke warning democrats not
to break up the solidarity of the party.
and declared those who did would gain
an unenviable position themselves.
Referring briefly to Mexico he said
the people there are entitled to liberty
mo matter how long they take in de-
termining it. He continued: $50 far
as my influence goes while am presi-
dent nobody shall interfere with
them"
He said the people of the United
States should not pay too much at
tention to the European war, but keep
their own affairs in good order
He closed his address with an ex-
preston OF hope that the time would
come when the United States would
be instrumental in restoring peace.
He characterized the talk of business
depression as state of mind" and
said the democratic party already had
done much to free business and its
program is not yet complete. He adj
vocated the establishment of a fed
eral employment bureau, and the ne
cessity OF congress passing the admin
istration conservation bills. He ex-
pressed the belief that about one-third
the republican party is progressive,
and two-thirds democratic. He de-
clared most of the voters of the coun-
try are independent He spoke of
himself as an animated conserva-
tive"
At one point regarding Mexico, the
president said: Have not the Eu-
ropean nations taken as long as they
wanted and spilled as much blood as
they pleased to settle their own af-
fairs, and shall we deny the same
right to Mexico7 No. say
The president spoke under the aus
pices of the Indiana Democratic Club,
and after his speech attended re-
ception the club gave. He left to re-
turn to washington early tonight.
At Richmond, Indiana, the presi-
dent spoke on the duty Of the United
States to the remainder Of the world.
He declared that If America keeps its
own poise, 1t will best be able to bring
about peace in Europe. He was warm
ly cheered-
OUT ON PAROLE.
at haven't made a speech for so long
that / fear / don't know how" he
said. you know I have been confined
for a couple of years at hard labor
and am out on parole for day or
two. I have to hurry back for fear I
will forfeit the parole. But I do want
to say this, my fellow citizens, that
II is a very great pleasure to me to
get abroad again and stir among the
(Ce.Anued on Page Three.)