Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-04-27


be trampled upon it lost the power
which belief In its readiness ana VIII
to maintain its rights would have CIV
en- to its diplomatic representations.
When our government gave notice to
Germany that it would destroy Amer
lean lives and American ships at its
merrill our words, which would have
been potent If sustained by adequate
nreparation to make them good and by
the prestige and authority of the moral
leadership Of great people In great
cause, were treated with contempt
which should have been foreseen, and
when our government failed to make
those words good its diplomacy was
bankrupt.
Upon the record Of performance
which I have tried to describe will the
American people say that the Demo
cratic party is entitled to be continued
in power?
The defects of the present admins
| tration arise from two distinct causes.
The first Is the temperament and train
ing of the president. The second Is the
incapacity of the Democratic party as
| it is represented in Washington both
in the legislative and In the executive
departments either to originate wise
policies or to follow them when pro-
posed by others or to administer them
effectively If they are established. The
Democrats In congress are never con-
trolled except with club, and gov
ernment with a club is always spas
modic and defective.
| We must not deceive ourselves by
assuming that the critical period aris-
ing from the great war has passed.
The real dangers and the real tests of
the strength of our institutions lie be-
fore us. The most exacting demands
upon the wisdom, the spirit and the
courage of our country are still to be
made. In this great conflict all forms
of government are on trial, democracy
with the rest. The principles of ma
tional morality are on trial We must
play our part In the universal trial
whether we will or no, for upon the re-
suit depends directly the question
whether our republic can endure.
What Are People to Expect?
But what are the people to expect If
the Republican party is restored to
power?
This much we can say now:
They may expect, with confidence,
that their government will meet the
economic situation with which we
must deal Immediately upon the close
Of the war, with policy of moderate
l but adequate protection to American
/ industry.
They may expect that the govern
ment will be administered with the
honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations in
the past.
They may expect that the best posi-
BILE course for the preservation OF
peace will be followed by foreign pol
| icy which, with courtesy and friendh-
ness to all nations, Is frank and fear
less and honest in its assertion or
| American rights.
They may expect that their govern
ment will stand for full and adequate
preparation by the American people
for their own defense. The Republican
party loves peace and hates war; 1t
abhors and will never submit to mill
tary domination; but it is composed of
men who love our country and VINO
deem that the independence, the 1ber-
ty. the honor and the opportunity Of
the American democracy are not mere
| ly to be talked about with weak and
flabby sentiment, but are to be main
tanned and safeguarded by the prac-
teal power of a virile and patriotic
people. 1t is clearsighted enough to
| see that preparation for defense must
have due relation to the possibilities
of attack; that under the conditions or
modern warfare much preparation
! must be made before a possible attack
| or all preparation will be Impossible
after the attack. The Republican par
tv stands for citizenship made COM
petent by training to perform the free-
mans duty of defense for his country.
IT stands for a regular army no larger
than is necessary, but as large as is
! necessary 10 ScIN0 as hASt Ai'N' =
nucleus, a source of instruction and OF
administration for the army of Amerl-
can citizens who may be called upon
to defend their country. And the Re
publican party stands for the gospel
of patriotic service to our country by
every citizen, according to his ability
in peace and in war. 1t stands for
reawakening Of American patriotism.
IT is not content that while the people
of other lands are rendering the last
full measure of devotion in sacrifice
and suffering and dying for their coun-
tries America shall remain alone dull
to the call of country and satisfied in
the comforts and pleasures of pros
perity.
Our Power For Peace.
Thev NAV exDect that assured readi-