French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-08-03
THURSDAY. AUGUST 8. 1915
THE SAFE MAN VS.. AN UNKNOWN

President Wilson has been steering
the ship of State over an untried and
largely an unknown Sea for over three
years, two of them covering a period
when it meant so much to the we'll
being and possibly the life Of this ma
ton to have a "safe man." in the
White House. The country now knows
what action to expect of him. His re-
cord on matters not related to party
platforms or party pledges or eonsid-
erations, removed that element Of un-
certainty involved in taking Mr..
Hughes on faith. To the old admoni-
ton as to the unwisdom of changing
horses while crossing a stream is to be
added the further consideration that
h process becomes extra hazardous
when a steed Of known quality and de-
pendence is exchanged for one untried
and unfamiliar with the perilous cur
rents.
The Democratic candidate for the
Presidency is entering the campaign
with an unusually high record of
achievement in keeping old promises
and with the distinction of having re-
deemed, in advance, most of the
pledges made by the party convention
which recently nominated him for a
second term.
When the&resent Congress adjourns
Itnls month probably it will have
translated into law most of the i'm
portant promises to which Mr.. Wilso,
is pledged. President Wilson's unioue
position is like unit othe debtor who
has met all his obligations in advance
In such cases the debtors credit is
usually doubled.
In the Presidents case practically
all the elements of risk are eliminated
n the majority of the voters of this
country, including that great body OF
thinking men known as the indepen.
dent voters (and there are several mil
lions of them), will accord to Presi.
dent Wilson a double-term in the
White House.
He is a safe man, and they know it
They do not know Mr.. Hughes to be a
safe man. Those who believe he is z
safe man are merely specializing. They
would be taking chances in s~uppFant
ing Wilson with Hughes. And it i:
not at all necessary to take the risk
~TAeaverage Independent voter. who j,
not strong on political party ties, will
tell you this from now on, should yol
question him. 1t is a case f choosins
between a proved and ADMITTEDLY SAFE
man and a political unknown" VIII
even refuses to declare himself OF
vital issues likely to arise n day.
Not only so. but Mr.. Hughes, even i
elected would be unable to carry GU
the pledges which his party convention
made for him-for both branches O
Congress are democratic and likely t.
remain SO, especially the Senate.
Without a majority in Congress, MI
Hughes would be helpless to keer
party pledges. Yet party platform
deal with only a small percentage Q
the vital matters with which a Presi
dent and the Congress are charge:
There are other elements of uncer
tainty and all to the disadvantage q
the untrieA unknown sinh roro,oo+
ed at Chicago at the behest OF tn
hyphenated foreign born voters of tn
United States, whom the former Roose
welt followers of New York stase hfav
formerly refused e endorse and whor
the majority of Progressives decar
will not support at the polls.
Yes, things look mighty gooI to u
today, thank you.