The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-11-06
IEdiborial Cor1l1nert1
on Current Subjects
WILSON OR HueHEsa
From the Kansas City star.

cEOm INC hAubbS City SL6.
What are the great issues confront.
ing the country as the campaign draws
TO q close? As the Star sees them
they center about the one subject Of
Americanism-
The Wilson administration started
out well with its domestic legislation.
But unhappfiy q world crisis interven-
ed. The problems with which the
administration was dealing sank into
tnsignihcance beside the question Of
Americas position and future IN the
world Of arms.
Tho President did not prove equal to
the emergency. In December, 1914. he
told Congress that the country had
been misinformed as to preparedness
and that there had been no negii.
gence. Yet at that time there was
not enough ammunition on hand to
last the coast defense GINS As minutes
or the field guns q days fighting.
When he finally yielded to the pres
sure OF public sentiment two years
later he abandoned the proposal OF his
Secretary Of War for a well ordered
national force proposal which. II
adopted. would not have required the
service Of the militia on the Mexican
border-and comprised on an ineffec-
tive makeshift dictated in the inter.
est of politicians.
Mexico was diminished business when
the Presluent took Office. 1t is unfln.
ished business today No fuller con.
fession OF failure could be made than
was made by Secretary Lansings note
OF last June describing the ruin Of
That unfortunate land. Protesting
that he would never intervene, the
President constantly interviewed but
without achieving anything. Mean
while three hundred Americans were
murdered and the country laid pros.
trate.
The administrations hesitating
course In Mexico was a direct lncen.
tive to trouble abroad. There was a
chance for the United States to head
the neutral nations in establishing a
body OF respected international law.
Instead. the president bluffed and let
1t be known that he was bluffing. The
neutral outcome was continued sub.
marine aggression until the Nation
was brought to the verge Of war.
| In the on edomestic crisis that CAME
IN his administration the President
showed the same anxiety to avoid
trouble and to take the easy way out
that he showed In dealing with foreign
relations. At the threat OF a railroad
strike he threw overheard the princi.
pie OF arbitration and without inquiry
forced through Congress a law to
raise the wages of the men who had
threatened the strike. There has since
I arisen n ,,E1
Ia wwas so worded that il may cut
the wages OF the men who were work.
ing less than eight hours. II, howey.
or, It should not cut any wages, but
should raise them. then the farmers
and other shippers will eventually
nave 10 shoulder the burden by paying
higher freight rates. Irrespective Of
this surrender Of the administration to
group OF citizens under compulsion
was national humiliation.
The whole effect OF these policies
has been to lower the tone of Ameri.
can spirit and TO exalt mere comfort
above duty.
In contrast. Mr.. Hughes as COVER.
nor OF New York. made a record that
could have been inspired by n lofty
sense Of duty. His whole administra.
ton was fight for ideals against bi.
partisan combination that was In con.
troll OF state government.
In the fight no showed himself a
strong progressive. Just as in his de-
cisions on the supreme court he show.
ed himself an ardent nationalist.
In the ethical years following the
war the Nation will need a man Of the
highest type In the Presidents Office
man not only of ideals but Of the
grasp and courage 10 make ideals
effective. man whose leadership will
once more exalt those great qualities
OF steadfastnOAu and devotion that
have made America what II is today.