The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1916-03-30
BluNOERS OF THE
ADMINISTRATION
wilson Has Failed In fofoig On
and Domestic Policies.
ROOT SHOWS HIS ERRORS.

New York Republican Convention
Points Out Sins Of Democratic Conn.,
mission and Omission-"We Have
Lost Influence Because We Have
Been Brave In Words and lrresoIute
IN Action"
In his address MS temporary chair
man of the New York state Republican
convention. delivered in Carnegie Hall.
New York. the Hon. Elihu Root said:
We are entering upon contest for
the election Of president and the con
troll Of government under conditions
essentially new in the experience OF
our party and OF our country. Inc
forms and methods which we are
about to follow are old and familiar.
hut the grounds for action. the demand
Of great events for decision upon ma
tiona conduct. the moral forces nrS
ing to solution OF vaguely nutlln
ed questions the tremendous con
sequences OF wisdom or folly 10 nation
al policy, all these are new to the great
mass of American voters now living
Never since 1864 has an election been
trau@ht with consequences so vital G."
national HE All the ordinary conSid
erations which play so great part in
our presidential! campaigns are and
ought to be lwarfeO into inSlgllitlcance
Democratic Party to the Bar
For the first time in twenty years we
enter the field as the party of oplosi
ton. and indeed it is a much longer
time. for in 1896. in all respects save
the tariff. the real opposition TO tht
sturdy and patriotic course nf FreS'
dent Cleveland was to he 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 its defense
SO far as we see just and substantial
grounds to criticise its conduct and to
ask the voters Of the rountry t" decide
whether that party. organized as 1t is
represented as it has been since IL
came into power. has shown itself
competent to govern the country as II
should be governed and whether its
spirit. it's policies. and its performance
are the best that the American people
can d" in the way Ut popular self gov
eminent.
facts relevant to these questions had
already been ascertained when in Au
gust. 1914. the great European war
began. During the year and 4 half OF
Democratic control of government in
period Of profound peace there had
been steady decrease in American
production. in exports and in revenues
and Il steady increase in imports and
expenditures. Enterprise had halted
The Democratic tariff had been framed
upon an avOwed repudation of al pro
lection. however moderate and reason
able. and because all protection WAS
renUdlaten practically all information
from competent witnesses as to the eff
feet new provisions would have upo,
business WAS rejected. 1t was with
just cause that the enterprise Of the
country halted timid and irreSolute
because ii felt and feared the hoStilit,
of government
Foreign Competition After War.
The great war has not changed the
lesson which we had already learned
when 1t began 1t has but ohScuret
further demonstration 1t has canset
an enormous demand for some thing:
which the United States is able to pro
dnce in large quantities. and in Ties.
lines of production. while other indus
tries still 'ang,liSh. there have been OK
tensive employment Of labor. great eX
ports and great int1uX of money
Bur this is temporary 1t must sool
cease. and when the factories hav,
stopped and their laborers are Il.
longer employed we must deal with I.
sitnarion for which wise forethough
should make provision More impor
TAM still, the war has paraIyZed TIT
peaceful industries Of all Europe ant
has stopped that competitive foreign
production which in July 1914. had al
ready entered American markets t.
supersede American products mde
the tariff law Of 1918 The war ha
inns given to American products al
Immunity from competition far NOR
effective than any possible protectiv
tariff But that is temporary. an,
when the war is over. when foreig
production begins again. the American
market compared with impoverishe
Europe will he more than ever hefor
the object of desire and effort. and "
shall heroine the dumping ground u
the world to the destruction OF gu
own industries unless that is prevente
by wise and competent government
How CanWe Defend Ourselves?
R'I II is nor from domestic que,
lions That the most Difficult, problem
Of this day arise. The events Ut til
last few years have taught us man
lessons We have learned that civiliz;
ton is hui - veneer thiniy covering IL
savage lnt'ne Of man. How can III
nation. which loves peace and intent
justice. avoid the curse Ut militariS
and III the same time preserve its il