South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-07
Wilson tor Action;
Hughes, Reaction,
S avs Watterson

accused OF DeinE Wllull euluuSldS-
tic Woodrow Wilson supporters. The
distinguished editor has been as
free with criticism as with praise,
applying either without selfish or
political consideration or limitation.
His editorial comment on the noti-
hcatior speech Of the president is
therefor. the more of special in
terest. he says in part:
In matters Of public import.
especially as embracing his own
opinions and policies. the president
can be trusted 10 put his best foot
foremost. He certainly did this at
Shadow Lawn more lucid and
convincing statement could not have
been made
There was no mention Of his
competitor. the republican nominee.
The contrast between the calm dig
nifty Of the president and the hyster-
ic quiSbHng Of the presidential can
didate is painful from whatever
point of view we choose 10 consider
il. There are those who insist that
the contest is personal. In that event
the result of the race must go 10
Wilson. for Hughes. who showed
fretful and freakish at the post. Is
already buck-jumping as he turns
the first quarter stretch.
The criticism oftenest heard Of
the president at Washington is that
he takes counsel of no one-nOt
even with the members of his cab
inet-makes not common cause
with the party leaders in congress
and goes his gait as one who
thinks he knows it all and owns the
earth. If it be true it is grievous.
fault-perhaps the residue Of the
schoolmaster he has not been able
wholly TO eliminate Yet has he
learned a deal since ne entered the
white house. 10 every appearance
quite catching the hang of it.
Hughes is tactless beyond COM
pare Hence the more that is seen
Of him the less attractive he be
comes. Strongest when nominated.
he has weakened with every mile he
has travelled No every word he has
uttered. Wher, the people looked
for constructive craftsmanship they
have found only querulous fault
finding. The eminent jurist has de-
generated into something like a
common scold.
Yet after all the electorate need
not trouble itself overmuch about
the individual candidates. 1t should
the rather study and estimate the
forces behind them. Even the high
mightiness of Candidate Wilson will
not contend that the democratic
president could have gone very far
without the democratic congress,
nor the democratic congress have
achieved the triumphs justly claim
ed and proudly enumerated by the
Shadow Lawn speech except for the
popular inspiration and volition be-
hind them.
Never was the issue of the mass
es against the classes more surely
and clearly drawn. Admitting the
private virtues of Hughes, and dis
counting such objections as have
been advanced against certain pro-
ceedings of Wilson. the two nom
inees stand face TO face the repre-
sentatives of the people and the in
terests. Wilson stands for action,
Hughes for reaction. Wilson repre-
sents things accomplished. Hughes
fOreshadows things promised. Even
the things promised by Hughes are
nOwise good for the country, for
they are the things for which the
old guard stood in the darkest
days of despotic partyism and
shameless corruption. If the voters
want TO resurrect the lobby let them
by all means elect Hughes. IL they
want TO go forward, not backward
they have the chance in the re- cleo
ton Of Wilson.
Thus much for the domestic
questions involved When we come
TO the international questions the
case for Wilson is still stronger No
truly enlightened and patriotic
American can contemplate the cleo
tion of Hughes and the defeat Of
Wilson without serious misgiving
as 70 our world standing when the
war is over. With reactionary re-
pubhcanism back in the saddle
Hughes wholly unequal 10 restrain
tive would only look for the sac
rifce of the greatness and glory Of
the republic TO an orgy OF treason
and greed the like of which was
never seen before.