Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-08-21
Mr.. Coles Address

American manhood.
Mr.. Coles Address
Mr.. Cole received a handsome recep-
ton as he was introduced. His address
follows:
The Republican and Progressive
forces of this Nation are-reunited.
The call for reunion, written in the
public will, has been ratified in party
council. The same forces that fought
the battles of the Union and preserved
the Republic, stand together once
more for the redemption Of it's honor.
AS division meant defeat so reunion
means victory.
Reunion between these two great
factors in our political life was in
evitable. Every consideration Of ma
tional well-being demanded it. 1t
was the triumphant response of a
patriotic people to the mandate Of
public duty. No power could stem
the tides of returning Reunion be-
!, tween these mighty and militant
forces of progress. We are bound to-
gether by common ties of political
kinship, thrilled by the same sacred
traditions, love of the same matchless
history, pride in the same exalted
achievements, loyal to the same in
spring leadership, cheered by the
same high hopes and aspirations, un-
faltering faith in the same eternal
principles fundamental to the stabil-
| ity of the Republic.
Democracies are founded upon the
doctrine that men who believe in the
same basic principles shall work in
harmony for their enforcement. Men
, who think alike fundamentally cannot
be kept apart permanently. Political
parties cannot live, free government
cannot endure unless the devotees of
the same political faith shall sub
ordinate minor differences and work
together for the application of those
principles to the affairs of men. In 4
Republic, political parties are found
led, not upon personalities which pass
away, but upon principles which en-
dure. There is a magnetism in men,,
but the eternal force of gravity in
heres in principle. Let us, there
fore, rear the stately structure Of our
..party around the everlasting principles
Of right and justice, liberty and hu-
manity, to which it was consecrated
by its immortal founders.
In 1912 We did not disagree upon
primary questions of party faith. On
principles of government and policies
of administration We were in practical
accord. There was no irrepressible
conflict of opinion such as gave birth
to the Republican party. We divided
on questions of organization, control
! and leadership. We were rent asun-
der by a controversy, not over meas
: ures, but men; by a conflict, not over
J principles, but personalities; by a
struggle, not over articles of faith,
but rules of organization. Therefore,
l contend that these two great parties
can be reunited without sacrifice of
principle on either side. 1912 is blot
ted from our recollection. Neither
side need ask or make apology. 1t
was the honest differences of honest
men. We had right to fight. lose
and enthrone Democracy. 1t is our
duty now to get together, win and re-
instate Republicanism.
National Issues.
The National convention laid the
foundation for sweeping triumph in
November. 1t gave free and untram-
meled expression to the voice Of
America. There was no machine at
Chicago; no czar to give orders; no
dictator of platforms; no hand picked
candidates. The delegates were
moved by resolute determination to
register the public will. They were
inspired by the same patriotic spirit
that led to the nomination Of Abraham
Lincoln in 1860. 1t Is asserted by
Democrats that I'VE should not swap
horses in the middle Of the stream"
That all depends on whether you are
riding the horse, or the horse is riding
you. That slogan was uttered by
Lincoln in 1854 after Gettysburg had
been fought and the doom of the con-
federacy sealed. But this is not "a.
This is 1860. Wilson is the weak
and vacillating Buchanan who low
cred the standard of his country. The
Lincoln Of this campaign is man Of
exalted character and unsullied Amer
Iicanism-Charles E. Hughes.
The purpose of the present cam
paign is to reinstate the Republican
party in power; thereby to insure
sound economic and fiscal policies; to
e-establish the American system Of
protection to labor and industry; to
remake prosperity, rot sectional, but
universal not temporary, but perma-
nent, not founded on gloom of war.
but the sunshine Of peace; and to re-
store the lost prestige Of the Republic
among the nations Of the world.
Democratic Platform.
The st. Louis platform, written by
Wilson. Of Wilson. and for Wilson, is
most eloquent in praise Of himself and
prolific Of promise to the people. They
have endeavored through new
declaration Of principle to shift the
line Of battle. Do rot be deceived.
The Democratic platform is the
Democratic record. A bad record can
not be redeemed by a good promise.
The party in power is held to ac-
|countability for it's acts and not its
words. The question today is not
what the ST Louis platform says, but
what the Democratic party has done
Even IL the promises Of a party in
power, and not its record, could be
made the issue, judging the future by
the. past, no reliance can be had on