Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-21
ENROPE's WAR AS A FAC TOR IN OUR CAMPAIGN.

in this special sphere it impossible summarize in sim
gle article the qualifications of the wars widespread nf-
ence in American politics.
Our financial system and conditions, industrial de-
velopment immigration problems, struggle for world
merchant marine the protection of our mar
kets against foreign products handling of the Philip
pine problem and the holding of colonies by republic the
issues of preparedness for national defense through an en-
arged and military development and provision OF ava
ton squadronsthese and other national problems are all
involved in the coming presidential struggle EUROPE Gull
ct shaping every these greater less degree
Let this morning take single subdivision OF one
of the subjects by considering the effect OF this great war
upon the Democratic party in connection with the single is
Of preparedness for national defence we are conron
ed at the outset by two paramount considerations
In the first place the Democratic party ever since the
Civil War has additionally stood the buwark OF the ma
ton against militarism
In the second place the tendency of the Wilson admins
traon under the of the European to abandon
the historic position of the Democratic party on this issue
under the plea of national preparedness promises to help
split the Democratic party in the coming campaign.
The traditional opposition of the Democratic party
mlitarsm the ougrowth in part of the effort to main
tain republican State in various southern States
during Reconstruction period through the agency of the
The democratic national convention of
$780, which held in Cincinnati, declared other
things against the of troops and deputy marshas to
and obsruc the electors and the unprecedented
of the veto to maintain corrupt and despoc power in
suit the people and mperi their institutions
Democratic party naturally became prejudiced against the
army but they gradually to favor the navy In 1884
ragned the republicans squandeng hundred of millions
to create which does not exist Under President
navy strengthened the navy and result of his work
when the Vermont Press association included of it's an
nua famous points of interest in the old days.
historic Plymouth Nantasket beach, of the
enoments of the trip visit under escort OF
Squadron then lying at anchor in Boston harbor
The democratic convention of 1892 also held in Chicago
tect our rights and Command respect and boosted
Democratic party only has ever given the country 3r
based President Ceveans famous warning to Great
Britain in connection with the Venezuelan episode whch
With the advent of William Jennings Bryan virtual
leader of the Democratic party in 1896 crusade against
use of troops by President Ceveands orders to protect the
United States mails the Chicago riots growing out of the
degree of opposition the party to military coercion From
that time until the outbreak of the European democratic
leaders in Congress rule had strenuousy turned ther
With the outbreak of the European Congressman
Gardner of Massachusetts opportunity to strike the
Wilson administration in vulnerable point for the benefit OF
republicans by aragnng it for utter failure to keep the ma
parednes prevail especially in coast Notifications and
navy and pointed out how small force could
President Wilson and his party advisers evidently be-
eved that their best was to take the wind out of the
their The administration crusade for large standing
yesterday you read in the news columns of the Press
the that President Wilson favored spending
country for naona defence against possible foreign foe
The republicans, having started the crusade for
tona preparedness in the light of the European in
position logically consistently even politically much
less additionally preparations for national Defence
especially regards adequate navy Our party leaders
have recently stood upon former republican platforms by
favong adequate preparations for Defence especially
the water The party not easily tail and
it's position this great national issue Republicans
thus virtually forced support the national defence policy
of the Presdent-the leader Of the opposition party
Unfortunately fortunately for the Democratic party,
the may be- it includes it's ranks large following
still opposed to anything approaching miltarism William
Bryan the partys chief apostle of at price,
has naturally in this connection great opportunity
put himself at the head of large faction Of his party Not
only that but Bryan has logically assumed leadership Of the
pacst part of population by warning Americans that
great navy and standing army will be positive tempta-
ton national aggression and the way for
ticipation in wasting foreign wars
Mr. Bryan urges, moreover, that the administrations
program preparedness will involve expenditures
with corresponding additions already burensome
tona taxes both direct and indirect He says the Wilson
policy will opportunities for lavish bribery the
part the interests that seek the rgess of provision for
preparation we'll of army to forty their posi-
ton against labor
No small part of the American public will give to
doctrines like these and the next democratic national
venton bids fair be the of battle royal between
the advocates national preparedness led by the Wilson