The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-06-16
SUPPORT PRESIDENT
PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
Democratic Keynote Sounded by
Temporary Chairman GIynn.
DEFENDS NEUTRALITY POLICY
Advooates Defense Preparedness and
FIouts MlIItarIsm 5uuaboo-pIs-
eussss Domestic Policies and
Euloplxes Mr.. Wilson.

st. Louis, NO., June 14,-Following
% . condensed version Of the address
delivered at the opening Of the Demo
FAtio national convention today by
Temporary Chairman Martin H.
nlynn, 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
erats; we shall deliberate and act here
rs Americans.
II In this great crisis that now con-
Fronts the nation. the American people
kalter, their apostasy viii be visited
upon the descendants OF their chill
kren's children.
Disregarding the divisions that make
pne man q Tory and another q Wing,
bne man q Republican and another
Democrat, Americans will cast aside
me tInsel Of party emblems.
From the great, pulsing heart Of the
hation win come patriot command
10 crush partisanship and rebuke what
ever 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
bobers our emotions as 1t strengthens
Dur resolutions.
For two years the world has been
Afre. That fire still burns, but thus
BAR the United States has held the
name at bay.
Must Support Principles.
What the people Of the United
States must determine through their
suffrage is whether the principles that
have been asserted as our national pol
icy shall be Endorsed or withdrawn.
This is the paramount issue.
For 200 years neutrality was the
DRY; America made 1t fact. To win
khis priceless right OF neutrality this
nation had to undergo a long and pain.
Jul struggle.
Where is the American hardy enough
30 challenge q 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
ica and made American neutrality
national creed.
II Washington was right, II Jeffer-
son was right, If Hamilton was right,
# Lincoln was right, then the presi-
dent of the United States Is right
koday; 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 is no other national policy that
has justified itself so completely and
entirely as the American policy Of
neutrality and isolation from the quar-
fels of European powers
h 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 viii not
resort to war when all other means
Of protecting its neutral rights have
failed. but 1t does mean that America
will exhaust every peaceful means Of
protecting those rights before 1t takes
the step from which there is no APP
peal.
The issue, raised by our opponents,
Of the vigor with which our neutral
sty has been enforced is a compare
zive issue which can be decided only
by comparative results.
When Grant was president. during
The war between Spain and the Span
lsh West Indies. a Spanish gunboat
seized the vessel virginius flying the
American flag and a Spanish com.
mandant In cold blood shot the cap
Gain of the virginius, Sc OF the crew
md le OF the passengers.
But we didn't go to war. Grant
eettled our troubles by negotiation.
! When Benjamin Harrison was
president the people OF Chill con-
eeived : violent dislike 10 the United
States. One junior officer from the
Omitted States warship Baltimore was
Killed outright In the streets of VAL
paraiso and 1s Of our sailors wound
ID.
But we didn't 50 to war. Harrison
settled cur troubles by negotiation.
More Historical Facts.
When Lincoln was president this
eountry's rights we're violated on ev.
~ side. England. Russia, France
Ind Spain were guilty Of fragrant vio-
eationa - -.
But - didn't 90 20 war. Lincoln
settled our troubles By negotiation
When Pierce sas president the
estish minister IN this country and