Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-12
Administrators Record


present administration" Mr.. Hughes be-
gan. When that administration record
is examined its defenders seem to protest
as though it were a subject which should
not be critically analysed. We cannot
make progress in that way.
The other day 1t was declared that the
alternative of the present policy of the
was war; that anyone who
undertook to criticize that action must
necessarily favor war. / am a man of
peace. and it is because / desire to see
American peace safeguarded that l in
sist upon a firm and unflinching main
tenance of American rights and such poll
cies as will deserve and hold the esteem
of the entire world .
THE policy of a sound enforcement Of
known rights is not policy of war. 1t IS
policy of security, of self respect. When
this nation forgets the dignity of its own
citizenship and the rights of its own CIT
liens it will enter upon period of de-
cadence; will invite insults, and will sure
ly end in overwhelming disaster.
NO party can stand before the Ameri-
can people and say that it will not main
tain American rights, and propose that
this shall not simply be said but tina. !,
shall be done.
During the last three years and a half
we have had ample opportunity to esti-
mate words and actions. The executive
by his unofficial spokesman sent word
to the men whom he refused to recognize
as the head of the government OF Next
CO. not simply that he would not be rec
ognized but that he must get out or he
would be put out.
That was a threat Of war; nothing
else. 1t was an indefensible act OF war
Mr.. Hughes reviewed American rela-
tions with Mexico since Huerta's time.
The nominee declared that the admin
istrations policy had been one of In
termittent war"
when we summoned the entire ma
tional guard to our border. what condi-
ton was that? A condition OF peace
or a condition of war;" he asked. The
Judge advocate of the army has given
his opinion that it was condition or
war Now l am not going into re-
cital of these conditions, but ! merely
say this: That you might be willing
to see anarchy, you might be willing
to give over our citizens and their prop
ertS TO the rayage Of military robbers,
YOU might be willing to see spasmodic
and Intellectual intervention; you may
be able to do all that, but do not say
that your policy is policy OF peace
when it has been a policy of intermlt-
tent peace without honor and intermit-
tent war without honor.
I'VE are living in a time when Am
erican prosperity. American rights and
the sense of the necessity of preserV-
ing the principles of our institutions are
at stake in the issues Of this campaign.
And / desire to serve not this set, not
that set, but the people of the United
States at this period"
Mr.. Hughes read the Democratic plat
form plank of 1912 declaring for the
protection Of American rights.
That is what the Democratic party
was elected on" he said, and they
had no right to esert that policy upon
which they promised faithfully to
stand"
The nominee leaned forward and ask
ed the audience whether the admins
trations threat to put Huerta out, was
a policy of peace or policy OF war
War" shouted half dozen voices
from the crowd. Scores in the crowd
echoed the word. Their voices were
drowned in the cheering that followed.
What about the embargo on arms
shouted another man. Tell us about
that"
YES. I'll tell you about that" the
nomiree replied. The administration
nut an embargo on arms then took 1t
off. then put it on again, then stopped
It once more and arms were going to
this bandit and that bandit with the
result that the American soldiers slain
in Mexico were slain with American
bullets"
The audience cheered again.
II am man of peace" Mr.. Hughes
said. And I stand for American
rights. but l am not in favor of risk
ing American lives to satisfy personal
dislikes for a certain man. And I do
not believe that the American flag is a
symbol to beckon Americans home but
should be symbol of protection to
them wherever they honorably be-
Mr.. Hughes spoke on the tariff and
renewed his attack on the administra-
ton for its enactment of the eight
hour law.
He left here at II o'clock for Ken
tucky