The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-09
Subscription Rate-$1.50 per year.
strictly n advance.

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THE COUNTRY, THE PRESIDENT,
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
AND MR.. BRYAN
cincinnati EnQuirer.)
The attack of Mr.. Bryan upon Pres
ident Wilson's address at the Man
haitian Club, New York. in which the
president announced his policy Of
preparing for the country's defense,
emphasize the differences In the epin-
ions Of the present and those OF the
sex.leader of the Democratic party.
That such differences existed was
demonstrated and Acknowledged by
the resignation of Mr.. Bryan as sec
retary. of state. To these famiiisr
with Mr.. Bryan's persistent adherence
70 theories, original or adopted, his
-,constancy in unsuccessful efforts to
make conditions TO at his theories
rather than to follow that opvrse Of
practical and successful statesman
ship which strives for the very best
attainable results, this attack was
not unexpected.
The Mexican policy Of the admin
istration, a policy that this country
and Mexico has suffered from since
the very advent of the administra-
ton, and from which the administra-
tion suffered at the elections OF
November, 1914 and 1sl6. can be
properly termed Mr.. DryAn's, and 1t
is an example, not only OF the absurd
ity Of theories In face Of conditions to
which they do not apply. but Of the
serious and grave injuries that such
impracticable and depl0rable official
actions reflect upon the people sub
iect to the results OF the malpractice.
Mr.. Bryan's resignation as Secre-
tary of state invoked no expression Of
regret from the American people, as
the vast majority desired radical
change from the failure OF the admin
istration to protect American citi-
zens upon the land and ulOn the sea,
Whether they were or were not cor
rect in the thought, they believed
that Mr.. Bryan was 40 welded to his
theories OF non-defense OF these
rights by force that continued humil-
iation would be the lot Of tho nat.o
If he remained In Office.
The president now has to bear the
dlnrden of Mr. Bryans failures In the
state department while at It's head
and of the attacks upon policies
which Mr., Bryan now fnds fault
that department and the public esti-
mate OF that work have 10 weakened
Mr. Bryan's hold upon the electorate
of the country, reduced the public's
valuation of him AZ a practical states
men, that his recent declaration Of
hostility to the presidents policy of
preparedness will have but minor Of.
feet
At this time IL III obvious that Mr..
Organs record in the state depart
ment Is and will be q source OF weak
ness to the administration, and il is
equally obvious that Mr. Bryan. out
side OF the cabinet, il 30 frank and
outspoken an opponent. 10 keen II
critic and 30 ready to asBah what he
deems to be it's mistakes. errors and
shortcomings that he cannot longer
he useful to the administration In a
political way, even II he desired ia
be.
The administration III now bound
10 make this effort for preparedness
for defense. The great majority oi
the people are with the president In
this policy, and they give 1t their
full approval.
As the leader of his party Presi
dent Wilson will undoubtedly be
given the party support. hut Mr.. Bry
an viii be found equally Az deter
mined to defeat the presidents Of
forts TO safeguard the country
through enlarglng the army and In
creasing the power Of the navy.
That Mr.. Bryan may be sincere in
his theory does not dimnish its folly
That In opposing preparedness he IL
consistent with himself adds nothing
10 the soundness OF his position and
should not be accepted Az a certih
cate OF the wisdom of hin proposition
TO sum up the situation. the coun
Try Is with the president for defense
and rejects Mr.. nyau's views upon
the subject.
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