Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-21
THAT JACKSON ADDRESS
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that the President of the United States
should not deliver a strong political
speech. He may engage in political
maneuvering, as all Presidents have
done. He may favor members of his
own party, indeed it would be mar
Vicious if Presidents did not do that.
He may defend his administration
from political accusations, as he is
quite often called upon to do. He
may discuss political questions in Il
dlgnlfied manner without bringing
undue criticism upon himself. But he
is not expected to &C upon the stump
and engage in the eXtravagances of
the stump, which is what President
Wilson did at Indianapolis.
1t was quite well understood among
politicians that the President has been
most tiercely and. often, unscrupulous-
~ attacked in recent months. The
Republicans, heartened by the big vote
they polled in November and pros
nects that Progressives are return
ing rapidly to the old fold, are making
most determined efforts to put down
foundations for a presidential cam
paign in 1916. They are working over
time at this task, as they have every
rlght to do. They are trying to make
up their case before the American peo-
pie, which is the right of parties under
our system Of government. eThere is
not always strictest adherence to
Veracity in these undertakings
but that is not regarded as
warrant for the Presiden. of
the United States, who is pres
ident Of all the people, to descend to
the level Of common spellbinder and
deliver himself of lot of statements
that apparently will not bear the
closest scrutiny. The Presidents un-
dertaking at Indianapolis was all the
more surprising because he has been
so clrcumspect regarding the pro-
prletIes Of his office. Democrats are
chagrlned over the matter. There
mas now been time to hear from the
country about it. The independent
newspapers have generally condemned
the address as unWise, or at least as
having failed to strengthen the Presi
dents cause before the country. II
satisfied the Indina Democrats who
We're within range of the President 5
voice They wanted a speech with
punch IN it. Hoosier Democrats
are accustomed to virulent po)it-
les 1hey do not care for the
disn1ted Generaliza lions, such as
Presidents usually utter, and they
were not disappointed in President
Wilson. But Indiana, with its rough
and tumble politics, is not the United
States and the independents. wnom
the president is trying TO win over.
are mostly very discriminating.
1here is no evidence that the Prcs
dents indianapolis address has strength
ened him at all in Congress. TIL,
thought was, of course that when h,
mad stated his case. the Independent
press would comment in his favor. Pub
Tic sentiment would be stirred. senator.
ana representatives would take motto,
ana there would be less disposition i.
congress to block the Presidents MANS
IL was supposed the Republicans Womb
be dismayed by the frowns of public dis
approval on their course. But the con
trary has been true. AT least there seem,
10 De no dlsapproval of the Republca,
opposition and the flood of critical com,
ments on the President has been quit.
disconcerting in White House circles.
How long and intense this will prove +,
ne is for the future. Democrats at tn.
capitol are doing the only thing the,
can do-preparing to fight the best frh-
they can from this time on throupb +,
the fourth of March. They know the,
must stand or fall with President Wilson
IL he 1ails from high favor they go witt
hlhi' lhey must try to get through the
legislation he wants and if it is to b.
an extra session of Congress they mus
accept it with the inevitable.
Some think the time of Democratic dis
Indignation has begun, but that NAV no,
be So Such thing has been predicted
vigorously time and again when Presi.
dent Wilson was in stress with his mart,
and Congress but without coming true
Ihere was the quarrel between the Presi.
oent and the Senate over patronage some
weeks ago. That promised to make =
serious breach for Democracy and give
the administration a setback But Demo.
Gratis became frightened at prospect
like that and have fastened to patch u,
their differences. About the last has
probably been heard of the patronage
row. One weakness on the part of the
senate was that the Democrats who
started the row with the President did
not have very good case. They We're
trying to trench upon his preroeatives
and were trying to put men into federal
offices where the President had chosen
as good or better men.
But the Democratic organization AT
Washington is being strained this winter
as never before. If these things keen
up, it may be much of a question
whether great break in the party can
be prevented before 1916. If the country
begins to go back on the President II
will not be long before Democrats in Of
fetal life will begin to lose ardor. The
last half of an administration is trying
upon a President. He has less fayors to
dispense and therefore the lessening of
reasons for loyalty to him. Democrats
are watching closely to see whether.
since the Indianapolis address. there is
to be a turn for the better or for the
worse in the Presidents popularity. Tn
less the President recoups himself dur
ing the next few months, he will go into
the campaign of 1916 badly handicapped
and the denomination may be worth to