New Britain herald., 1916-06-12

l
 estimate difficulties. But it is most
 regrettably true that in our foreign
 relations we have suffered incalcul-
 ably from the weak and vacillating
 course which has been taken with re-
 gard to Mexico-a course lamentably
 wrong with regard to both our rights 1 and to our duties. We interfered
 without consistency; and while seek
 ing to dictate when we were not con- | cerned, we utterly failed to appreciate l and discharge our plain duty to our
 own citizens.
 At the outset of the administra-
 ton the high responsibilities of our l diplomatic intercourse with foreign
 nations were subordinated to a con- ception of partisan requirements, and we presented to the world a humil-
 iating spectacle of ineptitude. Related
 efforts have not avai1ed to recover the 1 influence and prestige so unfortunate | lv sacrificed; and brave words have l been stripped of their force by in- 1 decision.
 I desire to see our diplomacy re- 1 stored to it's best standards and to 1 have these advanced; to have no
 sacrifices of national interest to par tisan expediencies; to have the first 1 y command here and abroad in diplo- matic intercourse; to maintain firm
 ly our rights under international law;
 insisting steadfastly upon all our
 rights as neutrals. and fully perform
 ing our international obligations; and
 by the clear correctness and justness
 of our position and our manifest
 ability and disposition to sustain
 them to dignify our place among the nations.
 I stand for an Americansm that knows no ulterior purpose; for a patriotism that is single and com plete. Whether native or naturalized, of whatever race or creed, we have but one country. and we do not for an instant tolerate any division of allegiance.
 I believe in making prompt pro- vision to assure absolutely our
 tional security. I believe In prepar- edness, not only entirely adequate for our defense with respect to numbers and equipment in both army and navy. but with all thoroughness to the end that in each branch of the service there may be the utmost eff administrative heads. We are devot- ed to the ideals of honorable peace. We wish to promote all wise and prac- ticable measures for the just settle ment of the international disputes.
 Tn view of our abiding ideals, there is no danger of militarism in this country. We have no policy of ag- gression; no lust for territory, no zeal for strife. It is in this spirit that we demand adequate provision for national defense, and we con- demn the inexcusable neglect that has | been shown in this matter of first i national importance. We must have l the strength which self-respect de- hands, the strength of an efficient na- ton ready for every emergency.
 Our preparation must be industrial and economic as well as military. Our severest tests will come after the war is over. We must make fair and wise readjustment of the tariff, n accordance with sound protective principle to insure our economic in dependence and to maintain Ameri- can standards of living. We must the just interests of labor, realizing that in democracy patriotism and national strength must be root ed in even-h handed justice. In pre- venting, as we must, unjust discrim- nations and monopolistic practices, we must still be jealous to assure the of honest business. Par icular1y should we seek the expansion of foreign trade. We must not throttF Am erican enterprise here or abroad, out rather promote it and take pride n honorable achievem tents.
 We must take up the serious prob ems of transportation, of interstate md foreign commerce, in a, sensible and candid manner, and provide an enduring basis for prosperity by the intelligent use of the constitutional powers of congress, so as adequate- " to protect the public on the one- half, and. on the other. to conserve .he essential instrumentalities of progress
 stand for the principles of our civil service laws. In every depart ment of government the highest ef- fciency must be insisted upon. For all laws and programs arc vain with out efficient and impartial adminia- tration.
 I cannot within the limits of thjs statement speak upon all the sub- jects that will require attention. I can only say that I fully indorse the platform you have adoped.
 I deeply appreciate the responsibil- tv YOU impose. l should have been glad to have that responsibility placed upon another. But I shall undertake to meet it, grateful for the confidence you express. I sincerely -rust that all former differences may he forgotten and that we may have 1nited effort in a patriotic realiza- lion of our national need and oppor- +unity