Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-22
An independents View
Of Wilson and Hughes

UT WuSOn ana HUSnGS
When so free-minded and conservative news
paper as the Springfield Massachusetts, Republic
an comes heartily out for Mr.. Wilson's reelection
we have rather an impressive omen of how the
country's independent vote is trending. The Spring
field Republican approaches political issues in the
spirit which Lord Bacon recommends for reading
mot to contradict and confute, nor to believe
and take for granted to find talk and discourse,
but to weigh and consider" 1t is additionally just
toward administrations and candidates, regardless
of party lines Unlike the famous statesman who
said he first chose a side and then found reasons
for being there this deliberate New England jour
nal first finds its and then chooses its side.
In committing itself to President Wilson's sup
port, it remarks enthusiastically:
1.-The patriotic duty laid upon us ALL and
the only which any of us are justified in
urging upon others a duty is to consider
as carefully and as dispassionately as possible
the facts and principles at issue, and then, hav-
ing decided which of the two holds the best
promise for the country, to support that con-
viction with fairness and outspoken vigor."
BY this unprecedented course, the Springfield Re-
publican reaches the conclusion that Mr.. Wilson
ought to be reelected. because his record both in
foreign and domestic affairs proves that he is de-
pendable in times of crisis and in every sense
pable of serving the nation well. Mr. Hughes, the
Republican thinks, would make good President"
but Mr.. Wilson, because of his exceptional expe-
rience and his pre-eminent leadership along pro-
gressive lines 'is better fitted to meet the prob
lens of foreign relations and social evolution, in
the broadcast sense which the next four years
hold in store"
Concerning the partisan criticism that the
Presidents foreign policy has been vacillating
and weak, the Republican says:
1.-The conclusive answer is contained in
the bitter protests of the radical faction in
Germany that the German submarines have
been caught I'm net of notes.. The out
standing fact is that Mr. Wilson, without
bringing the United States into war, has
forced the recognition of neutral rights"
The Presidents opponents have been partic-
ularly violent in their attack upon his Mexican
policy-though of late they have soft-pedaled
that issue, realizing, perhaps, that the majority
of the American people are not averse to escaping
a thankless upon a broken and bankrupt
nation The salient feature of Mr. Wilson's con-
duct toward Mexico, says the Springfield Repub-
lican, is this:
He has grasped the underlying principle
that we shall not have permanently peace
full neighbor to the South of until the
most patent wrongs under which the of
the Mexican people have suffered righted
through their own efforts. The recognition
of this principle in the long means the
minimum of evil to this country from the
Mexican problem. 1t is to Mr.. Wilson's
everlasting credit that in spite of difficulties,
discouragements and possibly of incidental
mistakes, he has not wavered in his endeavor
to apply this principle to the changing cir
cumstances of the times"
In domestic matters the Wilson policies have
been as constructive and forward-looking as, in
foreign affairs, they have been prudent and con-
serving. No other administration in the last half
century produced such an array of helpful and
revitalizing laws-the income tax, the banking
and currency act the farm loan act the vocational
education act the child labor act the great meas
ures for national defense and numerous others
which serve the peoples common needs. This
record shows, as the Springfield Republican
presses it, that under Mr.. Wilson's leadership:
THE Democratic party is today better
instrument of progressive government than
in a generation if not in its entire history.
and, what is more to the point, a better in
strument, in the opinion of this paper than
the Republican party promises at this
ment to become under Mr.. Hughes
The judgment of this conservative indepen-
dent New England journal is notable because 1t
indicates the line of thought which conservative,
independent people throughout the country are
likely to follow. And it is this element which
sways the d.stinies of American politics.
mo post-bellum rights for the United States"
says the London Times by which you might think