The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-11

have disagreed with some particulars
Of the platform announcement, and
have publicly separated themselves
from the same. The telegraph was
not too speedy an instrument. 10
electricity too swift a messenger, to
convey to st. Louis in 1904 Judge
PARxER's disapproval Of a single fea-
ture Of the conventions platform.
President WILSON'S general attitude
toward the Baltimore platform has
been one that fully recognized its
sanctity. On occasions too numerous
to be recapitulated here he has re-
ferred to It a. authoritative doctrine ;
both in the positive way to urge &C
tual legislation in accordance with
Baltimore promises. and negatively
to avoid responsibility for suggested
measures that had not the authority
Of Baltimore. It may appear singu.
lar that his only point Of known dis.
agreement with the Baltimore plat.
form. the only particular as to which
he questions the binding character Of
that deliverance, IL where It affects
his political ambition and personal
interests. Even then, but for one
fact, he would be entitled to respect
for his expressions Of dissent.
That vital fact Is a fact Of chro-
nology. The letter to Mr.. A. MITCH.
ELL PALMER, hrst published by the
World on January 10. 1915, was writ.
ten BY DR.. WILSON on February 5.
1918. three months after he had been
elected President.
Consider the Significance Of the
chronological sequence. Four days
before the nomination Of any candi-
date at Baltimore It Is publicly known
that the single term principle and
pledge have been Incorporated in the
platform. Silence on the part Of DR.
WILSON, the leading contestant for
the nomination. He yet lacks more
than two hundred votes to reach the
number required for a nomination.
After 1t Is known that the single term
principle and pledge are to he in the
platform on which the conventions
candidate will run. the necessary
number Of delegates turn from CHAMI
CLARK and other favorite 0 and
WILSON is nominated. Silence on his
part regarding personal dissent from
the platforms pledge. The platform
Is adopted by the convention. Silence
on Dr. WILSON'S part. A little lateI
he writes his letter Of acceptance
not a word OF protest against the
single term principle to which the con
vention pledges him as its candidate
Silence throughout the campaign 81
lence that Is acquiescence, silence tina,
denotes willingness to profit by the
votes which the platform pledge may
bring. The first Tuesday after the
first Monday in November ant
Doctor and Governor WILSON 1.
elected President OF the United States
The pledge ceases to he Of political
value to him, but his silence continues
Not until February s. 1913, a few day,
before Congress proceeds to the for
mality of counting and recording tn,
electoral vote, does he break the 81
lence. so far as Is known.
Now We come to the strangest fea
ture of It all. Why, even then II
February. does the elected candidate
put a belated pen to paper to repu
diate the pledge on which he ha
been elected7 Is It from any com
FUNCTIONS of conscience? Is 1t from
any feeling that he will figure a littl
better In history II before he is actu
ally declared to he elected. and be
fore he Is actually inaugurated an
sworn In 10 the office OF Presiden,
he denOunces the contract made 4
his behalf and disadvantages his futur
political interests from the unquall
fed but inconvenient pledge on whicI
he has been elected?
Not at all. The intention Of tn
Governor and Doctor on February /;
1913, was quite different from tha'
He wrote his letter Of dissent an
reputation for quite another pul
pose; for a purpose. we are com
-~,,>l 49, -~ S-.a-st-..