Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-05-26

which n belief In its readiness and vii
to maintain its rights would have Civ
en- to its diplomatic representations
When our government gave notice %
Germany that 1t would destroy Amea
ican ives and American ships at id
peril our words. which would havt
been potent If sustained by adequate
preparation TO maze them good and ID
the prestige and authority of the mora
leadership of a great people in d grea
cause. We're treated with a conteml
which should have been foreseen. and
when our government failed to make
those words good its diplomacy waa
bankrupt.
Upon the record of performance
which | have tried to describe will tho
American people say that the Demo5
cratic party is entitled to be continued
in power?
The defects of the present adminis7
tration arise from two distinct causes.
The first Is the temperament and tra.n5
ing of the president. The second is tbs
|incapacity of the Democratic party as
it Is represented in Washington bo;li
in the legislative and in the executiveI
departments either tc originate VIE
policies or to follow them when pro-
posed by others or TO administer them
effectively If they are established. Tie
Democrats in congress are never con |
trolled except with II club. and gov
rnmen with a club Is always spas
modic and defective.
We must nor deceive ourselves by /
assuming that the critical period aris-
ing from the great war has passed.
The real dangers and the real tests of
the strength of our Institutions lie be
fore us. The most ~exacting demands
upon the wisdom. the spirit and the
courage of our country gre still to be
made. In this great conflict all forms
of government are on trial. democracy
with the rest. The principles of ma
tional morality are on trial. We must
play our part in the universal trial
whether we will or no. for upon the re-
suit depends directly the question
whether our republic can endure.
What Are People to Expect?
But what are the people to expect II
the Republican party is restored to
power?
This much we can say now:
They may expect, with confidence.
that their government will meet The
economic situation with which We
must deal Immediately upon the close
of the war. with a policy of moderate
but adequate protection to American
industry.
They may expect that the govern
ment will be administered with tue
honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations in
the past.
They may expect that the best posi-
bic course for the preservation of
peace will be followed by a foreign pot
icy which, with courtesy and iriendli.
ness to all nations. Is frank and fear
less and honest In its assertion Of
American rights.
They may expect that their govern.
ment will stand for full and adequate
preparation by the American people
for their own defense. The Republican
party loves peace and hates war; i
abhors and will never submit to mill
tary Nominations; but it Is composed OF
men who love Dur country and who
deem that the independence. the liber-
ty, the honor and the opportunity of
the American democracy are not mere
ly to he talked about with weak and
iabby sentiment, but are to be main
tained and safeguarded by the prac-
teal power of a virile and patriotic
people. 1t is clearsighted enough tn
see that preparation for defense must
have due relation to the possibilities
of attack: that under the conditions OF
modern warfare much preparation
must be made before u possible alta k
or all preparation will be impossible
after the attack. The Republican par
ty stands for a citizenship made com
petent by training to perform the free
mans duty of defense for his country.
1t stands for a regular army no large
than is necessary. but as large as is
necessary to serve as a first line. Il
nucleus, a source of instruction and o.
administration for the army of Ameri-
can citizens who may be called upon
to defend their country. And the Re
publican party stands for the gospel
of patriotic service to our country by
every citizen. according to his abilitr
in peace and in war. 1t stands for
reawakening CT American p%atriotisI.
1t is not content that while the peop,,
of other lands are rendering the last
full measure of devotion in sacrifice
and suffering and dying for their conn
tries America shall remain alone dull
to the call of country and satisfied In
the comforts and pleasures of pros
perity.
Our Power For Peace.
They may expect that assured readi-
ness for defense will give power TO
our diplomacy in the maintenance of