The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-06-14

sented to the world q humiliating
spectacle Of inaptitude. Belated ef-
forts have not availed to recover the
influence and prestige unfortunately
sacrificed, and brave words have been
stripped Of their force by indecision.
s'Our desire to see our diplomacy re-
stored to It's best standards and to have
/ these advanced; to have no sacrifices
Of national interest to partisan ex-
| Ipedients; to have the first ability of
the country always at it's command
here and abroad. in diplomatic inter-
course; to maintain firmly our rights
under international law. insisting
steadfastly upon all our rights as mu-
tual and fully performing our interna-
tional obligations and by the clear
correctness and justness Of our po-
sition and our manifest ability and
disposition to sustain them to dignity
our place among the nations.
II stand for an Afnericanism that
knows no Interior purpose; for q pa
triotism that ID single and complete.
Whether native or naturalized. or
whatever race or creed, we have but
one country. and We do not for an In
slant tolerate to any division Of al
legiance. & II,
| g'I believe In making prompt pro-
vision 20 assure our national security.
I believe in preparedness. not only en-
tirely adequate .or our defense with
respect to numbers and equipment In
both army and navy, but with all
thoroughness to the end that in each
branch Of the service there may be
the utmost efficiency under the most
eompctent administrative heads. we
are devoted to the ideals Of honorable
peace. We wish to promote ali wise
and practicable measures for the just
settlement OF international issues. In
view Of our abiding ideals. there ID
no danger Of rnilitarism in this coun-
TRY. We have no policy Of aggression;
no lust for territory; no zeal for strife.
It is In this spirit that we demand ade-
Quate provision for national defense
and w condemn the inexcusable neg
|1ect that has been shown In this mat
ter Uf hrst national Importance. We
inust have the strength which self
tsefsct dsmands. the strength Of II,
emcisnt nation ready Tor every emer-
gsncy. a
Our preparation must be Industrial
and economic as well as military. Our
everest tests will come after the war
is over.
I'VE must make a fair and wise
readjustment OF the tarin in accord
ance with sound protective principles,
to insure our economic independence
and to maintain American standards
Of living. We must conserve the just
interests Of labor. realizing that in
Democracy pstriotism and national
strength must be rooted In even-hand-
ed justice. In preventing. as we must,
unjust Determinations and monopolis-
tic practices. we must still be Jealous
to assure the foundations of honest
business. Particularly should be seek
the expansion Of foreign trade. We
must not throttle American enterprise.
here or abroad. but rather promote
| II and take pride In honorable
achievements. We must take up the
serious problems Of transportation Of
interstates and foreign commerce In
a sensible and candid manner and pro-
vide an enduring bases for prosperity
by the intelligent use Of the constitu-
tional powers Of congress. so as ade-
quately to protect the public on the
one hand and on the other to con-
serve the essential instrumentalities
Of congress.
II stand for the principles of our
civil service laws. In every depart
ment Of government the highest eff
cheney must be insisted upon. for all
laws and programmes are vain with
out efficient and impartial administra-
tion. can not within the limits OF
this statement speak upon all the
subjects that will require attention. 1
can only cay that fully indorse the
platform you have adopted.
II deeply appreciate the responsible
ity you impose. should have been
glad to have that responsibility placed
upon another. But I shall undertake
to meet 1t. grateful for the confidence
you express. l sincerely trust that all
former differences may be forgotten
and that we may have united effort In
a patriotic realization OF our national
need and Opnortuuitv