Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-06-24

of republican conventions well of brides Our demo-
cratic friends who usually have hotter in their national
conventions than the republicans take naturally to the more
suty period of early july Other political parties of lesser
magnitude trail along the spirit progress revolt
both may move them
Under normal conditions the preliminary campaign for
the nomination of presidential candidates would have been in
long this But for the European would
be in the thoes of periodical controversy the
tariff and business men would be putting the brakes
their operations to which way the protection to
jump, up down. People desire to buy goods
falling market except when the commodity permanent
investment like land struggling under temporary han
cap like unwse tax board and be higher eventually
For these and other the shortening the pres
dental campaign for the national elections of 1916 is not
unmixed blessing evil People say and again
they tired of politics, but like the grip they
to take it, whenever the epidemic makes its periodical rounds
Even though may he will not let politics interfere
with business when the fever skps him. strikes his neigh
bors and interrupts his business while he helps the
nvalds in business
We suspect if the truth could be known the Wilson ad-
mnsrton would be found to have been making the most
practical kind of campaign during the past six months.
The most effective political work candidate do, is to
the people in the most satisfactory possible
1t truly said. "He his party best who serves
his country best Everybody recognizes the force of this
political adage, and those who do not thus their
country try hard to admit in public that this is the
We have been impressed and again by the fact that
if put much time and effort into serving the public
well they put into subsequent attempts convince the
public has been served well by them, would have far
faithful and efficient public service.
1t happens that while the republicans resting in the
barn waiting for the storm clouds to pass, President Wilson
is out in the field running the moving machine and cutting
down the grass trusting to his faithful followers to stir
with tedders and dry it. thus stealing march his less fore
sighted neighbours Republicans must wait for Congress- but
the Wilson administration work early and late both
and then.
The hay President Wilson is making is with honor
That political capital which not be taken from him or
sny other who acquires it. It is the of capital
which republicans and democrats and and Of all
political beliefs and affiliations like to have shares in.
We republicans beginning to realize must be up
and doing if to make sort of showing in the
ing presidential campaign We must realize also that we are
handicapped by failure to redeem faithfully campaign
pledges many of the States well in the nation at large
We faced by the necessity of reganng public confidence
in addition to convincing the voters and taxpayers of the
merit of our goods themselves
That is point regarding which enter the national
campaign Of 1916 practically terms with Woodrow
Wilson. He on platform containing single
pledge and if he seeks second term, he WILL he
explain to the satisfaction Of the how he keep
silence regarding this arreachng issue while he seek
ing their votes 1t is true Mr. Wilson during the campaign
declared the Baltimore platform program be
ried out but that statements did not nvaate every
pledge that declaration of principles embraced
We suspect Mr.. Wilson will also ho confronted in the
paign looming by his belated reputation the
democratic platforms pledge of tolls for
wise ships passing through the Panama canal for the parc
and sea.
Every time President Wilson makes a stand for
in connection with the he condemns
the he forced his party to Congress regard
ing right canal for local in
the interests seemed to demand and
all political parties united at the in the demand for
the use of the Panama canal locally in way.
The issues of the tariff and preparedness for national de-
Tense will figure large small in the coming campaign
coring the situation is affected by the European
So long high prices prevail it will be difficult make
effective high protection fight the ground of competition
of foreign products in home markets; for prices tell the
story. AS already indicated in these columns, the Wilson
administration foresall republican campaign the
issue of preparedness by adopting active in that
direction least enter the struggle practically
terms with
We have thus tried to weigh the factors that will
for and against both sides the campaign opening Let
turn briefly to the work of organization and the
personal features Of the situation.
Our democratic friends are ahead of the in way
since they have maintained active and aggressive
quarters in Washington since 1912 Circulars have re-
Gently been sent broadcast the country inqung
from democratic leaders to local conditions
republicans and progressves throughout the States
showing signs of getting together The replies indicate
general belief that the party is stronger than in 1912 al
though there evidence Of republicans and progress
getting together The democratic weak the
holding up Of business.