The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-10-20

in the Betrayal Of His Country for
the Qualification Of Personal An,bi-
tion-A Democrats Patriotic Stand.
The avowaI of the cause Of Mr..
Hughes by Colonel George Harvey is
one of the distinct features of the
present campaign. 1t would be sig
niffcant in itself that a man of his
prestige, who had always trained with
the Democratic party. had espoused
the cause of the Republican candi-
date. But in Mr.. Harvey's case the
significance is very much greater, as
well as the importance of the event.
He has been not only, a Democrat,
but a Wilson Democrat Moreover,
he was the first man of prominence
to advocate the election of Woodrow
Wilson as President, and for many
years one of the closest friends and
advisers of the present occupant of
the White House. Mr.. Harvey not
only proposed Mr.. Wilson for the
Presidency, but as early as 1910 in
/ terested United States Senator Smith,
a Democratic leader of New Jersey,
in Mr.. Wilson, and this resulted in
the Wilson nomination and election
as Governor of New Jersey.
Mr.. Harvey not only comes out for
Mr.. Hughes, but gives very intelIi-
gent reasons for his action in the
current number of his North Ameri-
can Review" In his Judgment there
are two vital questions to be answered
before election. One is, which of the
two great parties at this particular
juncture in our progress as nation
is the better eqipped and the more
likely to render the highest public
service? The other is, which of the
two designated leaders is the more GER
tain to preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States2
Such an issue as the Democrats claim.
that Mr.. Wilson has kept us out OF
war and therefore is entitled to re-
election. is brushed aside as someS
thing that has no proper place in
the mind OF the voter of this year.
In MFR. Harveys Judgment, only the
most insane partisan would venture
to suggest a possibility OF Mr.. Will
son or Mr.. Hughes melting or inviting
War with any European or Asiatic
Power. and therefore there is no fair
issue between them on this question.
There are three elements that are
involved in the answers to these two
questions, those of military and in
dustrial preparedness, government by
and for the people, and national honor
and opportunity. So far as all of
these are concerned, the answer Is
the same: Mr.. Hughes is the man
who should be chosen from each and
every standpoint-both as the repre-
sentative of the Republican party and
as az individual. The best interests
of the country are to be served by
his election.
Mr.. Harvey calls attention to the
fact that the utter absence of self
seeking on the part of Mr.. Hughes
throughout his entire career, confirms
the belief that he does, in, fact, from
the very nature of his being, stand
for america first"
On the other hand. no less surely
and most disappointingly. happenings
of the past two years eliminating in
the betrayal of his country for the
| qualification of personal ambition,
prove incontestably that Mr.. Wilson
stands for Wilson first. That is Mr..
Haryey's opinion. In his judgment
there is no need to seek conclu-
sion; it finds itself. The summing
up Of the situation is that upon the
| clearly-marked issues as between the
candidates, there is no reason why
| any professed Republican, any
thoughtful Progressive or any prin-
cipled Democrat should not, and every
| reason why every patriotic Republic
| can should vote for Mr.. Hughes for
! President.
Such advice from such source
should make a deep impression upon
| the American electorate. 1t certainly
is not given through any prejudice
against Mr.. Wilson, for it's author
would naturally be predisposed in ia
| vor of the President. Nor does it come
| from any lack of knowledge of Mr..
| Wilson's methods and intent. The
intimacy of the two men has been
too long and too close to admit of
any lack of knowledge on Mr.. HAIR
vey's part. The man who. as Mr..
Wilson'S friend first started the
movement for him for President. now,
after test of Mr. Wilson in the
White House, advises the American
people to vote for Mr.. Hughes. There
should be no hesitancy on the part
Of the voters to follow this advice.
Mr.. Wilson has become so thorough
ly neutral that he looks with grave
suspicion on the American contention
in any international dispute.
The President has kept us out of
war;" but would you like TO have him