The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1915-01-12
WILSON DEFENDS
HIS ADMINISTRATION
OPPOSITION TO SHIP
PURCHASE BILL AND UP
HOLDS MEXICAN POLICY.
RAPS THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY


Had New Idea in Thirty Years, and
Warns Democrats Not to Break Up
the Party's Solidarity.
INDIANAPOLIS, nd.-President
Wilson in a Jackson Day speech here
today voiced what his hearers inter-
preted as hint that he might be a
candidate for the presidency again in
1916. The audience of more than
1900 people rose to their feet end
cheered until the president called For
quiet.
The president had been discussing
the Mexican question. Referring to
his belief that he knew the tempera-
ment and principles of the American
people he added that he would not be
fit to stay where he is if he did not
understand them.
"There may come a time he de-
clared when the American people.
will have to Judge whether I know
what / am talking about or not.
There was a slight pause and then
the crowd began cheering. Realizing
the construction which had been put
on his words the president held up
his hand for silence and said:
81 did not mean to stir UP any
thing. That was merely preparatory
TO saying that for at least two more
years l am free to think I know the
American people,
Defends His administration.
Previously the president had at
tackled the republican party, defend
ed the record of his administration
on the Mexican policy, the tariff and
currency and declared that a careful
examination of the returns from the
elections last November showed that
if it had been a presidential year the
democrats would have had a majority
of about eighty in the electoral col
lege.
The president criticised republican
senator's opposing the government
ship purchase bill, characterizing
them as 'self-styled friends of bust
ness" He said the republican party
has not had a new idea in thirty
years and that "the republicans do
not know how to do anything but sit
on the lid"
He added that the country wants
the ship purchase bill enacted into
law and will have it.
Mr.. Wilson gravely spoke warning
to democrats not to break up the sol
idarity of the party. He declared
those who did would gain an unen~
viabIe position for themselves.
"If man won't play on team
he must get off the team" he said,
and later spoke of himself as the
captain of the democratic team for
the present"
The president spoke briefly of Mex
leo. He said the people there are
entitled to liberty, mo matter how
long they take in determining it."
Speaking slowly and carefully he de-
clared that 80 far as my influence
goes, while I am president, nobody
shall interfere with them"
'fHave not European nations taken
as long as they wanted and spilled
as much blood as they pleased to
settle their own affairs?" he contin-
ued, and shall we deny the same
right to Mexico? No, say"
Discusses Independent Voters
Much of Mr.. Wilson's address was
devoted to the independent and pro-
gressive voters. He said about one
third of the republican party is pro-
gressive and about two-thirds of the
democratic party is progressive.
Therefore" he added, "the demo-
cratic party is more progressive than
the republican. He declared that
most of the voters of the country are
independent, but that it was his am
bition to have them vote with the
democrats. He spoke of himself as
IAN animated conservative.
The president said the people Of
the United States should not pay too
much attention to the European war.
but should keep their own affairs in
good order. He closed his address
with the fervent expression of the
hope that the time might come when
the United States could be instru-
mental in restoring peace.
Farm demonstration work, corn
and canning club work and every
,noaoe ~ r,rOprocs II, oOrfc,t1t1ro and