Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-03-03

down In history as a Democratic
President who had the nerve to re-
sign. than az q Democratic President
who had been kicked by nna5orities Of
his own party In Congress. as did Ar.
Cleveland"
Novel as was the proposition that .
President would resign. his hearers.
realizing the extent to which be has
had his own way in the White House
and his unwiIlingness to brook opposi-
ton, even from his best friends, were
greatly impressed. Returning TO the
Capitol. they denounced him among
themselves az a traitor to his party
and az tyrant. but they also bestirred
themselves to prevent the passage Of
the Gore resolution, or any other
legislation Of the character to which
Mr. Wilson objects. Republicans are
opposed TO such legislation az Senator
Gore proposes. not because they would
mind opposing President Wilson. but
because they believe such an enact
ment would be an act Of cowardtce
which would still further gain for the
United States the contempt Of for
eign nations. Furthermore. they arc
convinced that, despite the Prestdent's
repudiated trade with Germany, that
nation has it's hands too full to be will
ing at this time TO go to war with the
United States.
On the other hand. Democratic op-
position to the President, and others,
blame the President. solely, for the
present strained relations with Ger
many. By Offering, in return for a
disavowal BY Germany Of the Lusi-
tania sinking. to propose to the allied
powers the disarmament of all mer-
chant ships. with the alternative that
those armed may be torpedoed with
out warning. and by conveying to the
German ambassador the impression
that this government would approve
such a policy, Mr.. Wilson. it is con-
tended. invited just such a policy as
Germany has adopted. Trusting the
good faith of President Wilson,: the
German admiralty openly proclaimed
it's purpose to sink all armed mer-
chantmen without warning. 80 that
now it can alter its purpose only with
humiliation, while the German people
VIII seriously blame their government
az vacillating and supine.
Il is only fair to Mr.. Wilson to say
that all in close touch with the situa-
tIon believe he meant to carry out
his trade with Germany and would
have done SO had 1t not been for Sena-
tor Roots speech. and for the Sterling
resolution. which exposed the fact
that on two distinct occasions Mr..
Wilson had taken officially dia-
metrically opposed position.
But the Democratic opposition to the
President is moving everything below
Heaven to keep from honestly stand
ing for what hey are. while holding
him in the limelight as balancing the
nation On. the very brink OF war to
scare the country into support OF him
and his policies Note the desperate
means they are adopting to avoid
standing before the country, listed as
the men whom the people have sent to
represent AMERICANS in Congress.
and yet too cowardly to stand with the
President for American rights and
honor. The President asked for
vote that would record each member.
for or against, and they are fighting
the proposition. tooth and nail.
= Should President Wilson resign the
Presidency, az he has threatened, un-
der such circumstances it would be
recorded as the biggest act Of his ad-
mnistration.