Gilpin observer., 1916-06-15
SUPPORT PRESIDENT
PARAMOUNT ISSUE
Democratic Keynote Sounded by
Temporary Chairman GIynn.
DEFENDS NEUTRALITY POLICY
Advocates Defense Preparedness and
Fleuts Mliitarism Busaboo-Dls.
eusses Domestic Policies and
Eulonixes Mr.. Wilson.


delivered at the opening Of the Demo
Temporary Chairman Martin H.
0lynn, former governor Of New York.
Gentlemen OF the Convention: The
Democratic party. in this convention
assembled, meets to perform duty.
not to itself but to the nation.
We have entered this hall as Demo
Gratis; We shall deliberate and act here
as Americans.
If in this great crisis that now con-
fronts the nation, the American people
ealter, their apostasy will be visited
upon the descendants Of their chill
dren's children.
one man q Tory and another Whig.
one man . Republican and another a
Democrat, Americans will cast aside
the tinsel of party emblems.
From the great. pulsing heart Of the
nation will come q patriot command
TO crush partisanship and rebuke what
sver is mean or blind.
And when, q century from now,
Americas children come to read our
history. We pray God that the history
We are about to make may prove an
Inspiration to their loyalty.
In the attainment of this hope. the
utterance of this prayer we who gather
here today have a responsibility that
sobers our emotions As 1t strengthens
our resolutions.
For two years the world has been
afre. That fire still burns. but thus
tar the United States has held the
0ame at bay.
Must Support PrlneIpIes.
What the. people Of the United
States must determine through their
have been asserted ~ our national pol
10y shall be Endorsed or withdrawn.
This is the paramount issue.
For. 200 years neutrality was . the
ory: America made 1t q fact. To win
this priceless right of neutrality this
nation had to undergo a long and pain
full struggle.
Where is the American hardy enough
to challenge a policy so firmly fixed
in the nations traditions?
The president of the United States
stands today where stood the men who
made America and who saved Amer
lea and made American neutrality .
national creed.
II Washington was right, II Jeffer-
son was right, IL Hamilton was right,
II Lincoln was right. then the presi-
dent Of the United States is right
today; II the Republican leaders are
right then Lincoln was wrong and
Jefferson was wrong and Hamilton
was wrong and Washington was
wrong.
In all the history of the world
there IL no other national policy that
has justified itself SO completely and
entirely. as the American policy of
neutrality and isolation from the quar-
rels Of European powers.
Neutral Rights Asserted.
No American who knows the facts
can honestly oppose or criticise the
policy of neutrality which the present
Democratic administration has pur-
sued.
Americas doctrine of neutrality
never meant that this nation must
rush headlong into war at the first
invasion of its neutral rights. This
does not mean that America will not
resort to war when all other means
OF protecting its neutral rights have
failed, but 1t does mean that America
viii exhaust every peaceful means of
protecting those rights before 1t takes
the step from which there is no ap-
peal.
The issue, raised by our opponents,
OF the vigor with which our neutral
1ty has been enforced IL a compare
4ive issue which can be decided only
b. comparative results. Y...
When Grant was president, during
The war between Spain and the Span
ish West Indies, a Spanish gunboat
seized the vessel virginius flying the
American nag and Spanish com.
mandant in cold blood shot the cap
tain OF the Virginius, 36 of the crew
and 16 OF the passengers.
But we didn't 90 to war Grant
settled our troubles by negotiation.
When BENJAMIN Harrison was
president the people of Chill con-
ceived violent dislike to the United
States. One Junior officer from the
United States warship Baltimore was
killed outright in the streets of Val.
paraiso and 16 of our sailors wound
ed.
But we didn't 90 to war. Harrison
settled our troubles by negotiation.
More Historical Facts.
When Lincoln was president this
country's rights were violated on ev.
cry side. England, Russia, France
and Spain were guilty Of fiagrant vio-
lations.
But we didn't go to war. Lincoln
settled our troubles by negotiation.
When Pierce was president tho
British minister in this country and