Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-01-09
PRESIDENT ASKS
PUBLIC TO JUDGE
Defends Mexican Policy and
Party Record on Cur
rency and Tariff.
WORK NOT YET FINISHED
Executive. in India 1spoiis, Hopes That
Y. S. May Yet Become
Aid Of Peace.

Indianapolis. Ind. Jan. president
Wilson yesterday afternoon voiced
what crowd OF more than 1000 peo-
pie assembled here to hear him make
u Jackson day speech interpreted as a
hint that he might be a candidate for
the presidency again in 1916. The
people leaDed 20 their feet and cheer
cd until the president himself raised
his hand and called for quiet.
The president had been discussing
the Mexican question. and referred to
his belief that he knew the tempera-
ment and principles OF the American
people. adding that he would not be
fit 20 stay where he was II he did not
understand them.
There may come a time" he went
on. when the American people will
have TO Judge whether ! know what
am talking about or not"
There was a slight pause. and then
the crwod. which included the mem
bers Of the Indiana legislature. jumped
up and began shouting and cheering.
Realizing the construction which had
been put on his words. the president
held up his hand for silence. and said:
II did not mean 10 stir up any
thing That was merely preparatory
20 saying that for at least two more
yearsI am free 10 think I know the
American people"
Defends His Administration.
Previously the president had at
tackled the republican party. defended
the record OF his administration on the
Mexican policy and the tarin and cur
rency questions and declared that
careful examination OF the returns
from the elections last November
showed that II IL had been president
ial year a democrat would have had
a majority OF about eigrty in the cleo
toral college.
The president criticised republican
senator's opposing the government ship
purchase bill. whom he characterized
"self-styled friends OF business" He
said the republican party has not had
q new idea I'm 30 years and that "the
republicans do not know how 70 do
anything but sit on the I'D"
\ warning TO democrats not TO break
up the sclldity OF the party was spoken
OF gravely by Mr. Wilson He declared
that any such men will gain an IN
enviable position for themselves.
He continued that IF man won't
play on a team he must get on the
team" and later spoke of himself as
the captain OF the democratic team
for the present
The president spoke briefly of Mex
leo. He said that the people there are
entitled 10 liberty. no matter how
long they take in determining H."
Speaking slowly and carefully. he de
clared that so far as my influence
goes. while I am president nobody
shall interfere with them
UphoIds Mexican Rights.
Have not European nations taken
as long as they wanted. and spilled as
much blood as they pleased 10 settle
their own anairs?" he continued. and
shall we deny the same right 10 Mex
leo? No. ! say
Much OF Mr. Wilson's address was
devoted 10 the independent and pro
gressive voters. He said that about
one-third OF the republican party is
progressive. and about two-thirds Of
the democratic party is progressive.
He spoke OF himself as an animated
conservative
Referring 10 the European war, the
president said that the people OF the
United States should not pay too
much attention to II. but should get
their own affairs in such order that
they can be of the greatest assistance
to the countries fighting.
He closed his address with prayer
that the time might come when the
United States could be instrumental
in restoring peace.
He characterized talk. of business
depression as state OF mind and
SAID that the democratic party had
already done much TO free business,
ard that its program WAS not yet com
plete.
Fer Employment Bureau.
The president advocated the estab-
iishment OF a great federal employ
ment bureau. said some means should
be found for quickening and cheaper
ing the processes of the courts. and
spoke OF the necessity OF passing the
conservation bills
Cheering and handclapping inter
rupted the president at intervals. but
he had trouble In making his voice
reach TO the people in the back OF the
hall He was introduced by Governor
Ralston as one Of the great figures of
the world. ald then an actress sang
I'VE Take Our Hats on TO You. Mr..
wilson
After his speech the president at
tended reception given by the In
diana Democratic club. Later he took