Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1916-06-15


American citizens on land and sea. l
neither impugn motives nor underesti-
mate difficulties. But it is most re-
grettably true that in our foreign
relations we have suffered incalculably
from the weak and vacillating course
which has been taken with regard to
Mexico-a course lamentably wrong
with regard to both our rights and our
duties. We interfered without con-
sistency; and, while seeking to. die
tate when we were not concerned, we
utterly failed to appl eciate and dis
charge our plain duty to our own
citizens.
"At the outset of the administra-
ton, the high responsibilities of our
diplomatic intercourse with foreign
nations were subordinated to con-
ception of partisan requirements, and
we presented to the world humlll-
ating spectacle of inaptitude. Belated
efforts have not availed to recover the
influence and prestige so unfortunate
ly sacrificed and brave words have
been stripped of their force by in
decision.
Is for Preparedness
81 desire to see our diplomacy" re-
stored to it's best standards and to
have these advanced; to have no sac
rifces of the national interest SO
partisan expediencies; to have the
first ability of the country always at
it's command here and abroad in Dip
lomatic intercourse; to maintain firnl-
ly our rights under international law,
insisting steadfastly upon all our
rights as mutual and fully perform.
ing our international obligations; and
by the clear correctness and business
of our position and our manifest abil-
ity and disposition to sustain them,
to dignity our place among the ma
tions.
II stand for an Americanism that
knows no Interior purpose, for
patriotism that is single and COM
plete. Whether native or naturalized,
of whatever race or creed We have
but one country and we not for an in
slant tolerate any division of allie
glance. l believe in making prompt
provision to secure absolutely our ma
tional security.
81 believe in preparedness not only
entirely adequate for our defense with
respect to numbers and equipment in
both army and navy, but with all thor
oughness to the end that in each
branch of the service there may be the
utmost efficiency under the most COM
petent administrative heads. We are
devoted to ideals of honorable peace.
Adequate Defense Needed
"We wish to promote all wise and
practicable measures for the just set
Element of international disputes. In
view of our abiding ideals there is no
danger Of militarism in this country.
We have no policy Of aggression, no
lust for territory, no zeal for STRIFE
1t is this spirit that we demand ade-
quate provision for national defense
and we condemn the inexcusable neg
lect that has been shown in this mat
ter of first national Importance. We
must have the strength which SELF
respect demands, the strength of an
efficient nation ready for every emer-
gency.
Test When War Ends
"Our preparation must be indus
trial and economic as we'll as military.
Our severest tests will come after the
war is over. We must make a fair
and wise readjustment of the tariff
in accordance with cound protective
principle, to insure our economic in
dependence and to maintain American
standards of living. We must con-
serve the just interests of labor,
realizing that in democracy, patriot
ism and national strength must be
rooted in evenhand justice.
"In preventing, as we must, unjust
discrimination and monopolistic prac-
tices, we must still be jealous to as
sure the foundations of honest busi-
ness.
"Particularly should we seek the
expansion of foreign trade. We must
not throttle American enterprise here
or abroad, but rather promote it and
take pride in honorable achievements.
Upholds Civil Service
"We must take up the serious prob
lens of transportation, of interstate
and foreign commerce in a sensible
and candid manner and provide an
enduring basis for prosperity by the
intelligent use of the constitutional
powers of congress so as adequately
to protect the public on the one hand
and, on the other to conserve the es-
sential instrumentalities of progress.
"I stand for the principles of our
civil service laws. In every depart
ment of government the highest effi-
cheney must be insisted upon. For all
laws and programs are vain without
efficient and impartial administration.
81 cannot, within the limits of this
statement, speak upon all the subjects
that will require attention. l can only
say that I fully endorse the platform
you have adopted.
81 deeply appreciate the RESPONSE
bility you impose. I should have been
to have had that responsibility placed
upon another. But I shall undertake
to meet it, grateful for the confidence
you express. sincerely trust that
all former differences may be forgot
ten and that we may have united ef-
fort in a patriotic realization of our