Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-06
The Republican Nomination.

The Republican Nomination.
In their national convention next Wednesday
the Republicans will face choice between the red
shirt OF Roosevelt and the ermine OF Hughes
There other candidates, of course,-tavorlte
and political Mcawbers who hope for some
thing to turn up-but unless all omens are awry,
the nomination will drift at last either to the
Rough Rider the Judge There could be no
sharper antthesis than that of these two men
the one clamOrous and fiery the other reticent ana
cool. The nomination of Roosevelt would mean
that the Republican party had committed itself to
a sweeping reversal of the traditions and policies
which have kept the nation secure. The nomina-
ton of Hughes while amounting to a tacit en-
dorsement of the Wilson methods would be pro-
posal to change tried and practiced leader at
moment of grave uncertainties for one whose ca
pacity in such task is at best matter OF sur
mise.
Ii is a common saying that if Roosevelt had
been in the White House during the last three
years. the United States would now be at war, GER
tainly with Mexico and probably with Europe. In
stead of the peace and prosperity it enjoys today,
the country would be brand in the world confia-
grafton. Instead of standing forth as the great
advocate of law and humanity, ministerng to
stricken peoples and ready at the proper moment
to serve as a mediator for permanent peace, the
United States itself would be graphing in the
dark arena We have the Colonels word for it that
he would not have handled the Mexican problem
the submarine issue as President Wilson did.
We have his record for it that he would have
thrown patience and diplomacy to the winds, and
have plunged the country into red adventures. If
preyentable war is better than peace with honor,
then the Roosevelt way is better than the Wilson
way; but if the dangers America has escaped and
the principles it has upheld in this tragic season
are of any account, then We have cause to be de-
voutIy thankful that a cool statesman instead of
rash politician has been at the republics helm.
In the Roosevelt lexicon, Americanism means
pugilism and preparedness means mlitaristic re-
gime as absolute as that of Prussia itself While
Democratic President and a Democratic Con-
gress are working out sane and adequate sys-
tenn of national defense, the Third-Termer bally-
hooing his patriotism and boasting of his heroic
mood" sneers at the program of men who are
producing definite results in keeping with the
country's traditions and needs. The only sort OF
army that would satisfy Roosevelt would be an
army infused with his belicose spirit and subject
to his dictatorship. The only sort of preparedness
that would meet his approval would be that which
would transform peaceful-loving country into an
armed camp, not simply ready for defense but hot
ly eager for a fight.
President Wilson's foreign policies have been
unfaingly prudent, always solcitous of American
rights and honor but always thoughtful and I'M
hurried. and always cognizant of the rights and
honor of other nations, great and small alike.
Roosevelt's foreign policies. if we may judge him
by his record and temperament, would be just the
reverse He would plunge the country into for
eign dangers and complications lightly he
would call an opponent "a liar and thief" He
would have no more regard for our interests and
obligations in Pan Americanism than he had for
the rights of little Colombia when he took Pana-
ma" He would be as likely as not to destroy at
single stroke the relations of confidence and good
will which, under the Wilson administration, have
developed between the United States and its South
American neighbors. With Roosevelt in the White
House at this crucial juncture of affairs, the
ton would be exposed to wild adventures and to
dangers incalculable.
If, then, the Republicans nominate Roosevelt,
the basic issue of the ensuing campaign will be
clear: it will be extreme radicalism against liberal
conservatism it will be reckless militarsm against
we'll considered preparedness it will be the Big
Stick against efficient diplomacy; destructiveness
against constructiveness, passion against
If the Republicans nominate Justice Hughes
and he accepts they will have candidate who is
conservative and dependable but more than
President Wilson. The issue then would be, as far
as the worth of the men themselves is concerned,
between leadership that is safe but untried and
leadership that is equally safe and fully tested.
The fact is the Republicans can name no candf-
date who in any wise could approach the Wilson
record of achievement for the country's good.
Whatever may be choice of the Chicago convention,
Democracy can rest confident of its standard
bearer and the principles he upholds