The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-03-28
BLUNDERS OF THE
ADMINISTRATOR
Wilson Has Failed In Foreign
and Domestic Policies.
ROOT SHOWS HIS ERRORS.

Address as Temporary Chairman o
New York Republican Convention
Points Out Sins of Democratic Com
mission and Omission-"We Hav'
Lost Influence Because We Hav'
Been Brave In Words and IrresoIut'
In Action"
In his address as temporary chair
maj of the New York state Republican
convention, delivered in Carnegie Hall
New York. the Hon. Elihu Root said:
We are entering upon a contest fol
the election of a president and the con.
troll of government under conditions
essentially new in the experience OF
our party and Of u country. The
forms and methods which we are
about to follow are old and familiar,
but the grounds for action, the demand
of great events for decision Upon ma
tiOnal conduct, the moral forces urg-
ing to a solution of vaguely outlin-
ed questions. the tremendous con-
sequences of wisdom or folly in nation
al policy, all these are new to the great
Of American voters now living.
Never since 1864 has an election been
fraught with consequences so vital to
national life. All the ordinary consid-
erations which play so great a part in
our presidential campaigns are and
ought to be dwarfed into in~signif1cance.
Democratic Party to the Bar.
For the first time in twenty years we
enter the field as the party of opposi-
ton, and indeed it is a much longer
time. for in 1896. in all respects save
the tariff. the real opposition to the
sturdy and patriotic course Of Presi-
dent Cleveland was to be found in the
party that followed Mr.. Bryan. 1t is
our duty as the opposition to bring the
Democratic party to the bar of public
judgment, to put it upon it's defense
so far as we see just and substantial
grounds to criticise its conduct and to
ask the voters of the country to decide
whether that party. organized as it is,
represented as it has been since it
came into power, has shown itself
competent to govern the country as it
should be governed and whether its
spirit. its policies. and it's performance
are the best that the American people
can do in the way of popular self gov
eminent.
in the field of domestic affairs some
facts relevant to these questions had
already been ascertained when in Au-
gust. 1914. the great European war
began. During the year and a half of
Democratic control of government in
a period of profound peace there had
been a steady decrease in American
production. in exports and in revenues
and a steady increase in imports and
expenditures. Enterprise had halted.
The Democratic tariff had Deer framed
upon al avowed reputation of all pro-
lection. however moderate and reason
able. and because all protection was
practically all information
from competent witnesses as to the eff
feet new provisions would have upon
business was rejected. 1t was with
just cause that the enterprise of the
country halted timid and i%rresolute,
because it felt n feared the hostility
of government.
Foreign Competition After War.
The great war has not changed the
lesson which we had already learned
demonstration. 1t has caused
an enormous demand for some things
the United States is able to pro-
in large quantities. and in these
lines of production. while other indus
still anguish, there have been tx
ports and a great influx of money.
But this is temporary. 1t must o o
ease. and when the factories have
and their laborerS are no
employed we must deal with a
situation for which wise forethought
should make provision. More impor-
tant still, the war has paralyzed the
peaceful industries of all Europe and
has stopped that competitive foreign
production which in July. 1914. had al
'eady entered American markets to
,upersede American products under
he tariff law of 1913. The war has
bus given to American products an
immunity from competition far more
Effective than any possible protective
ariff. But that Is temporary. and
the war is over. when foreign
begins again. the American
market compared with impoverished
europe will be more than ever before
object of desire and effort. and we
hall become the dumping ground of
world to the destruction of our
wn industries unless that is prevented
v a wise and competent government
How CanWs Defend Ourselves?
But it is not from domestic ques-
Ions that the most difficult problems
I this day arise. The event of the
lst few years have taught us many
.ssons. We have learned that civiliza
is but a veneer thinly covering the
avage nature OF man. How can this
alton. which loves peace and intends
lstice, avoid the curse OF militarism
nd at the same time preserve its In
defend its territory. pro-
,ct the lives and liberty and proper
- s<r ol<e1ouo9 How Gan NO Dra-