Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-03-25

FONTS Out Sins of Democratic Com
mission and Onission-"We Have
Lest Influence Because We Have
Been Brave In Words and lrresolute
In Action"
In his address as temporary chair
convention. delivered in Carnegie Hall
Icy York. the Hon Elihu Root said:
We are entering upon a contest for
the election of a president and the CON
strol of government under conditions
essentially new in the experience of
our party and of our country. The
1 forms and methods which we are
Aabout to follow are old and familiar.
fbut the grounds for action. the demand
sof great events for decision upon ma
ttional conduct, the moral forces urg-
ling TO a solution Of vaguely outlin-
ed questions, the tremendous con
sequences of wisdom or folly in nation.
sal policy, all these are new TO the great
4mass of American voters now living.
Never since 1864 has an election been
ifrausht with consequences so vital to
national life. All the ordinary consid-
ierations which play so great a part in
TOUR presidential campaigns are and
fought to he dwarfed into insignificance.
Democratic Party to the Bar
For the first time in twenty years we
senter the field as the party of opposi-
ktion,l and indeed ii is a much longer
Stime, for in 1896. in all respects save
Sthe tariff. the real opposition TO the
ksturdy and patriotic course of PreSi-
kdent Cleveland was to be found ia the
sparty that followed Mr. Bryan. 1t is
four duty as the opposition to bring the
democratic party to the bar of public
Judgment, to put it upon its defense
$50 far as we see just and substantial
grounds to criticise its conduct and to
TASK the voters of the country to decide
fwhether that party, organized as it is.
Represented as it has been since it
ZANE into power. has shown itself
competent to govern the country as it
should be governed and whether its
spirit its policies. and its performance
pre- the best that the American people
5ssfs do in the way of popular self gov
krnmeft
In the field of domestic affairs some
FACTS relevant to these questions had
already been ascertained when in Au-
gust. 1914. the great European war
Pegan- During the year and a half of
#0emocratic control of government in
8 period of profound peace there had
kleen steady decrease iii American
production. in exports and in revenues
End a steady increase in imports and
expenditures. Enterprise had halted
ffhe Democratic tariff had been framed
sIpon an avowed Reputation of all pro
section. however moderate and reason
fsDte. and because all protection was
Aepudiated practically all information
Arom competent witnesses as to the eff
Nect new provisions would have upon
business was rejected. 1t was with
Just cause that the enterprise of the
country halted. timid and irresolute
because it felt and feared the hostility
If government.
Foreign Competition After War.
The great war has not changed the
lesson which We had already learned
when it began. 1t has but obseured
further demonstration. 1t has caused
In enormous demand for some things
which the United States is able to pro
nuce in large quantities and in these
Tines of REPRODUCTION. while other indus
lries still languish. there have been ex-
iensive employment of labor. great ex-
forts and q great influx of money
Rut this is temporary. 1t must soon
lease, and when the factories have
topped and their laborers are no
songer employed we must deal with a
kituation for which wise forethought
4hould make provision. More impor-
Aant still, the war has paralyzed the
Peaceful industries of all Europe and
las stopped that competitive foreign
reduction which in July. 1914, had al
Xeady entered American markets to
Aupersede American products under
he tariff law of 1918. The war has
kaus given to American products an
Immunity from competition far more
Effective than any possible protective
Rriff. But that is temporary. and
&hen the war is over, when foreign
Fodaction begins again. the American
&arket compared with impoverished
iarope will be more than ever before
se object OF desire and effort, and We
hall become the dumping ground of
le world to the destruction of our
vn industries unless that is prevented
"a wise and competent government
How Can BE Defend OurseIves7
8ut il is not from domestic ques-
Ans that the most difficult problems
this day arise. The events of the
Ii few years have taught us many
sons We have learned that civiIiZa-
IL Is but a veneer thinly covering the
wage nature of man. How can this
ton. (which loves peace and intends
zfice avoid the curse of militarism
y. I rRa sauna fine rreSorvo irS in