The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-07
SAYS PRESIDENT
 IS OUR CLEAREST
 THINKING LEADER
(BY RAY STANNARD BAKER.)

(BY RAY STANNARD BAKER.) I have five good reasons for SUD- porting Wilson for the presidency: 1. I am for Wilson because I trust him.
 He is the steadiest. safest, clearest- thinking leader in public life to-day.
 In the world crisis he has not been stampeded by extremists of either type, neither by Roosevelt nor by
 Bryan. He has acted with that inn perturbability and wisdom in the midst of unparalleled events, which are the true marks of the highest leadership. In our difficult relation ships with Germany /got what he set out to get; he got 1t because it was right, and while maintaining the honor of the nation, kept us out of war.
 Wilson Genuine Progressive. 2. I am for Wilson because he is a genuine progressive.
 Progressivism with Wilson is a
 faith, not a policy. The nation to him is living force, not bound by prejudices, partisanship or theories, but moving steadily forward to meet the problems of A new time. There had been years of talk of progressive legislation. Wilson welded his divided party together and actually placed on the statute books during the first half of his administration a remarkable
 body of real progressive laws.
 Cooperative Internationalism. 3. am for Wilson because he has
 the new democratic and cooperative view of international relationships. He has substituted for the evil and
 greedy policy of dollar diplomacy in our relationships with South or Gen. traI America a new and friendly spirit -Pan-Americanism under him has ceased to be a mere name and has become living thing. l believe it to be his supreme mbition to make America an intrument in extending
 the same spirit throughout the world. Has Stood Crucial Test. A. am for Wilson because he has been tested and tried in the fire of the Fgreatest events. I know what he is and what he can do. I know that he
 Is master of the situation and has handled the nations affairs upon the
 whole with. great wisdom, patience and courage. More than any other American he is familiar with every crook and turn of our delicate na- tfonaI relationships in this troubled time. Why should I think for a mo- ment of substituting for such a leader
 an untried man, without experience | in these great national affairs, of whose views I am uncertain? We l know Wilson and what he has done; all we can know of any other leader
 Is what he says he will do.
 Knows American Spirit.
 5. am for Wilson because I be- I lieve him to possess the dearest un- 1 derstanding of the true American
 spirit of any man now in public life.
 He understands it's historical origins
 and inspirations; his whole life has
 been devoted to the study of American institutions No series of books are
 superior to his as wise commentaries upon American government. He un- 4derstands also the American spirit in
 its contemporary expression in public
 opinion; in each great crisis during
 the last two years, when he has acted,
 the great mass of the American peo-
 pie Have been soundly with him and
 behind him. Therefore I trust him
 beyond any other leader to meet the
 stormy events which are before us.
 and to meet them with the true American spirit. We are embarked
 for the first time in our history upon the unknown and tempestuous seas of world politics, but we know that
 with Wilson at the helm the Ship of
 State will not only go forward on a
 true course, but will be safely, patient ly, courageously navigated.