The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1916-07-11
WILSON cLEAREsT THINKING
LEADER IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE
az Ray sIannard Baker.l


lie is the steadiest, safest, clear
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
imperturbability and wisdom in lie
midst of unparalleled events, which
are the true marks of the highest
leadership. In our difficult relation
ships with Germany he got what he
set out to get; he got it because il
was right, and while maintaining
the honor of the nation, kept us
out of war.
2. / am for Wilson because ne
is a progressive.
Progressivism with Wilson is a
faith, not a policy. The nation to
him is a living force, not bound by
prejudices, partizanship or theories,
but moving steadily forward to
meet the problems of 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 adj
ministration remarkable body of
real progressive laws.
3. am for Wilson because he
has the new democratic and co-op7
erative view of international rela-
tionships.
He has substituted for the evil
and greedy policy of "dollar diplo-
Macy in our relationships with
South or Central America new
and friendly spirit. Pan Ameri-
canism under him has ceased to be
a mere name and has become a. liv
ing thing. / believe it to be his su-
preme ambition to make America
an instrument in extending the same
spirit throughout the world.
4. | am for Wilson because he
has been tested and tried in the
fire of the greatest events. / know
what he is and what he can do. J
know that he is master of the sit
uation and has handled the nations
affairs upon the whole with great
wisdom, patience and courage. More
than any other American he is IA
miliar with exery crook and turn of
our delicate national relationships
in this troubled time. Why should
| think for moment of substitute
ing for such a leader an untried
man; without experience in these
great national affairs of whose
views l am uncertain? We know
Wilson and what he has done; all
we can know of any other leader
is what he says he will do.
5. / am for Wilson because ]
believe him to possess the clearest
understanding of the true Ameri-
can spirit of any man now IND
public life.
He understands its 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 Americas
government. He understands also
the American spirit in its contem-
porary expression in public opinz
ion; in each great crisis during the
last two years, when he has acted,
the great mass of the American
people have been soundly with him
and behind him. Therefore 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 tenn
pestuous seas of world politics, but
we know that with Wilson at the
helm the Ship of State will not only
90 forward ON a true course, but