Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-27

the country IN which. after We are
oead, our children and our chTdren's
children are to live . go "a
The world is pasyiss shroughf i
great crisis and no n3an. can tai Tkatl
trial and jeopardy will have. to be faced
by this 3sudn during the years i'm
mediateay ahead There is snow no
longer before Us for decision the oues-
ton as-ro what particular man We may
severally most desire TO see al the
head of the government sWe~c de-
eide only whether during these posi-
bly, vital years this country shall be
entrusted TO the leadership of Mr.
Hughes or Mr.. Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson has been tried and found
wanting. His party. because Of its
devotion 10 the outworn theory of state
rights, and because Of its reliance upon
purely sectional support, stands
against that spirit Of far sighted ma
tlonalism which is essential if we are
10 deal adequately with our gravest
social and industrial problems Mr.
Wilson and his party have in actual
practice lamentably failed 10 safe
guard the interest and honor of the
! United States. They have brought Us
10 impotence abroad and 10 division
and weakness at home They have
accustomed US 70 see the highest and
most responsible Offices Of government
filled by incompetent men appointed
only for reasons OF partisan politics
They have 6ulled the moral sense or
me people. They have taught US that
peace, the peace Of cowardice and dis
honor and indifference TO the warfare
81 others. IS 10 be pu, above righteous
ness, above the stern and un7inching
performance OF duty whether the duty
is pleasant or unpleasant. Yet in
Mexico they have failed even 10 Sc
cure the peace which they thus sough;
and they have failed in spite of tn
most ample opportunity and most an :
PIE warning. 10 prepare in any real
| fashion 10 meet the crisis which their
own policy invited. They have taught
us 70 put safety first" safety before
duty and honor; to put that material
ism which expresses itself in mere
money making. and in the fatted ease
Of life above all spiritual things. above
all the high and fine instincts of the
soul. They have taught US TO accept
adroit elocution as substitute for
stra ishtforward and efficient action.
They have raised INDIGESTION. hesitancy
and vacillation into a settled govern
mental policy.
MI Hughes has shown in his career
the instinct Of efficiency which will
guarantee that, under him. the govern
ment will once more work with vigor
and force. He possesses that habit OF
!shtforVard thinking which means
that his words will be correlated with
his deeds and translated into facts
His past career is the warrans for or
belief that he will be the unfalterirc
opponent Of that system of invisible
government which finds expression in
the domination of the party boss and
the party machine His past career IS
guarantee that whatever he SAYS be-
fore election will be made good by his
acts after election. Morally, his pub
lie record shows him to be a man of
unhending integrity: Intellectually, it
shows him 70 he man Of original and
trained ability We have the alterna-
tive of continuing in Office an admin
2stration which has proved a lament
able failure or Of putting into Office an
administration which we have every
reason 70 believe will function with
efficiency for the interest and honor of
all our people. earnestly hespeak
from my fellow ProgressiHes their un-
erudging support Of Mr. Hughes.
Yours truly,
I THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
/ Sycamore Hill June -? 1915.