The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
EDISON PRAISES WILSON

"Not since 1860 has any campaign
made such a direct call on SimOn-pure
Americanism The times are too serious
to talk or think in terms of republican,
ism or democracy. Real Americans must
drop parties and get down to big funda-
mental principles.
"More than any other president in
my memory Wilson has been faced with
succession of tremendous problems,
any of one of which decided the wrong
way would have had disastrous conse
quences. Wilson 8 decisions so far have
not got us into any serious trouble, nor
are they likely to.
Peace With Honor
"He has given us peace with honor.
This talk about the United States be-
Ing dieespised IL nonsense. Neutrality y
a mighty trying policy but back Of it
are international law, the rights Of hu-
| mainly and the future of civilization.
"With reference to Mexico, think
that the president has acted wisely,
Justly and courageously. It was right
the United States should not have rec.
ognized such murderous personality as
Huerta. 1 do not believe that we should
have interviewed nor do l believe that
we should intervene now. Mexico is a
troublesome neighbor just now but war
and conquest is not going to make her
a better one Both against England
and against human slavery the United
States worked out it's salvation thru
revolution and it was a pretty slow try
ing process.
Preparedness Work
'eIt has been said that Wilson at first
was aginst preparedness. Perhaps he
was, but when convinced that intelll.
gent public opinion was everflowingly
in favor of it, he changed. That is the
proper thing for our presidents to do.
A president defiant of public opinion
would be dangerous man in our gov
eminent.
ellis attitude on the tariff shows an
equal openness of mind. tariff CON-
mission will take the whole problem out
of politics. 1t is my hope that the ex.
perts will be named, and that the body
will be continuing and vested almost
with the dignity Of the supreme court.
Blundered Forward
"They say he has Numbered. Perhaps
he has. But 1 notice that he usually
blunders forward. You can't get 100
per cent efficiency in democracy; I
|
We would be machines, and we would
have to sacrifice too much of freedom.
GAS I said at the start, it has been
Just one big thing after another with
Wilson. l have never known SO many
, dangerous questions brought up for de-
: eision to any one president. Now he
, has the general strike of the skilled
railway men, which, if carried out, will
, throw the whole country into confusion
;. and cause calamity that, in certain
, eventualities vii have results bound tc
extend over long period of time. liz
! is acting with his usual courage ant
: sanity.
Hindsight of Hughes
Q elm my opinion. Mr.. hughes. If pres
ident, would find it difficult to decide o,
the best course for the government t,
y take i'll this strike. His capacity TO
hindsight as we learn from his speeches
is highly developed, but as to his fore
sight, we are noe equally well informed
q 'Mr. Wilson has now had about fou
years of experience and he has earne
I. faith an dtrust | do not think it
II logical sensible thing to change to a
n inexperienced and untried man just 70
Il the sake of change, or without nue.
- better reasons being given for tn
y change than ! have noticed,
Roosevelt was my choice. He ha
u had experience and is one of the hes
7, of Americans, but the machine-control
9 led republican party would not hav,
Il him. Therefore l am for Woodrow Will
, son.