New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-31
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Mr.. Stimson is entirely sound
in saying that in this national election
"a voter must sharply discriminate IN
the emphasis which is 10 be given 70
the various debts and credits on the
respective sides" Many people, for
example, are dissatisfied with the Re
publican effort to introduce tariff
issue into the campaign, just as many
people may be dissatisfied with the par
ticular kind of Federal banking act
which the Presidert caused to be
adopted. But there is only one crucial
question now before the people Of the
United States-and that is whether or
not we are prepared TO assert, vlndl-
cate, and by action to uphold the honor
and the integrity of this country.
Life and politics Of course abound in
situations that call for decision on the
basis of expediency. We all decide
questions daily on this basis because
no clear or fundamental issue is in
volved in them. On the other hand,
now and again individuals and govern
ments are confronted by issues utterly
different in character, issues whlch go
TO the root of things and involve the
fundamental purposes for which socie-
ties and governments exist. Such issues
cannot be decided on grounds OF expe-
diency or on the basis of supposed I'M
mediate consequences without surren-
dering that which governments stand
for and hold dear. The supposed ma
terial consequences are infinitely less
important than those "imponderables"
which determine the nations destiny.
Whether a leader is a statesman or
trimmer depends on his possessing the
sound instinct, judgment and courage
which recognize these rare and preg-
nant issues, and having himself recog-
lied them is able to make them clear
TO the people he leads. II is not in such
cases n matter of consequences or sup
posed consequences: fundamental
question is presented on which 1T is
the business and duty of statesman
to take his stand.
Our history is fortunately rich in
such Incidents else, indeed, we should
be no nation and have no history. The
American Revolution was thus deter
mined. The men who made it recog-
nized the fundamental nature of the
issue involved, albeit it was only
question of a paltry tax on tea. They
did not vacilate, yield, change their
argument, position and demands be-
cause of the possible consequences of
a firm stand; they did right-and the
American Republic resulted.
When the Barbary pirates destroyed
our shipping and imprisoned our sail
ors we did not let the issue turn upon
expediency. The tribute we had been
paying was less costly than the millions
we were willing TO spend for defence,
but there was no doubt about the choice
of American statesmen who knew what
frmness in action means in the life of
a nation.
When South Carolina threatened null
LITIGATION a Southern President did not
falter for expediency's sake, and be-
cause he was known to mean what he
said threatened rebellion subsidized and
the unity of the nation was reaffirmed.
In 1861 a fundamental question was
involved in the provisioning of Fort
Sumter and the collection of customs
dues at Charleston. Southerners blus-
tered and threatened; timorous advis-
ers warned Lincoln of consequences, to
no avail The question of national
sovereignty was involved. A govern
ment that could not feed its troops and
collect the customs was not govern
ment at all, no matter what the phrases
of the Constitution and the hustings.
Lincoln did not falter; We have sim
gle united country in consequence.
The sinking of the Lusitana and the