Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-13
Words Versus Facts

words versus Facts
IT was Just as We suspected when we read
them-those we're weasel words with
which Mr.. Hughes announced his acceptance
of the Republican nomination for the presi-
! dency. Some of the newspapers that have
been clamoring for Americanism and pre-
paredness and denouncing the German
American Alliance and all it's works saw the
candidate has adopted their policy while
the alliance issues n statement claiming the
Hughes nomination as triumph of its
| leadership and declaring that its 1900. 900
members will be urged and expected to sup
port him.
Somebody is wrong. Colonel Roosevelt
| has told all those who stand with hm-or
stood with hin-that the efforts to transform
this Country's neutrality into German parti-
sanShlp were blows at free institutions and
verged on treason. His views have had wide
Endorsement, not only from his own followers
but from hundreds of thousands of American
citizens who agreed with him in nothing else
Yet we find those he attacked giving en-
thusiastic Endorsement to the Hughes candi-
dacy If the Colonel can make himself COM
Portable in such company. it will afford an
other illustration of that mental alacrity, not
10 say slpperiness, which has been, and con-
tlnues TO be, the object OF such universal
admiration.
The facts of the matter are that Mr..
Hughes did not offer any specific criticism
OF any phase or outcome of the Presidents
European policy. He INDUCED in some gen
eral and therefore meaningless words, that
mad robustious sound, but no real content
Mr.. Hughes is going to be permitted to
carry water on both shoulders He can't
be the candidate of the New York Sun for
example, and that of the German American
Alliance at the same time He will have to
make choice. and whatever choice he ma L ga
will cost him votes.
From St Louis will come the battle cry of
Peace. Prosperity and Preparedness"
backed by record of Democratic achieve
ment In creating and preserving all three
The Republicans have nothing constructive
10 oher. whether i'll result or promise Just
as the Democrats have appropriated the full
dinner pail. so the Republicans are forced
10 iali back on the Bryanesque platforms of
years ago and be content TO "denounce and
depore."
Their declarations from one end TO the
other make up a study in hypothesis and as
SUMPTION. Mr. Hughess acceptance is tarred
with the same stick the Republican plat
form Both call on the country to believe
that had the Republicans been in power some
thing different and better would have been
done but just what-that something is or was,
or might could. would should have been.
the poor puzzled country is left to work out
for itself. Weasel words, sure enough!
contrast these uncertainties with the solid
accomplishments of a Democratic administra-
ton. Under President Wilson the old robbe1
tarl has been whipped into decency; a great
currency system that has enabled the nation
to Withstand the shock OF world war has
been evolved and enacted into law; wise
ana adequate plan OF rural credits has been
framed; Pan-Americanism has been developed
from dream into a fact: Mexico through
It's struggles and disasters has been treated
with sympathy and friendliness to the end
that it may come ultimately into its heritage;
America has stood the champion of all
neutral nations, and has forced the abandon
ment by great power Of methods of warfare
condemned By the laws of humanity; the
countrys prosperity has been encourage and
directed; the curse OF war has been ayerted
at no sacrifice of faith and honor, but
through resolute insstence on duty and on
right.
These some Of the things that will be
said III the platform to be adopted at St
Louis. and the facts will support every
avermcnt. On the issue OF preparedness il
will be shown that the Democracy has done
vastly more in three years and half than
the Republicans did in sixteen. Can there
| be any doubt how the people will decide an
Issue thus presented?