Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-08-02
HUGHES SCORES ADMINISTRATION

The following are some of the strik-
ing sentences in Charles E. Hughes's
speech in New York Monday accepting
the Republican nomination for presi-
dent:
Our foreign relations have assumed
grave Importance in the past three
years. The first duty of the
executive was to command the respect
of the world by the personnel of our
state department. This obligation was
not performed.
Where there should have been
strength and expertness we had weak
ness and inexpertness. Instead of
assuring respect we invited distrust
of our competence and speculation as
to our capacity for irmness and decl-
sion.
1t is record revealing professions
belied.
1t is dismal record to those who
believe in Americanism.
The dealings of the administration
with Mexico constitute confused
chapter of blunders. We have not
helped Mexico.
For ourselves we have witnessed the
murder of our citizens and the destruc-
tion of their property. We have made
enemies, not friends. Instead of COM
manding respect and deserving good
will by sincerity, frmness and consist
ency, we provoked misapprehension
and deep resentment. In the light of
the conduct of the administration no
one could understand its professions.
Oecrying the interference, we inter-
fered most exasperatingly. We have
not even kept out of actual conflict,
and the soil of Mexico is stained with
the blood of our soldiers.
1t was for US to maintain the integ-
rlty of international law; to vindicate
our rights as neutrals; to protect the
lives Of our citizens, their property
and trade from all wrongful acts.
We have had brave words in a series
OF notes, but despite our protests the
lives of Americans have been de-
stroyed.
What does it avail to use some of the
strongest words known to diplomacy if
ambassadors can receive the impression
that the words are not to be taken
seriously?
1t IS not words, but the strength and
resolution behind the words that count
The chief function of diplomacy is
prevention but in this our diplomacy
failed.
Had this government by the use of
both informal and formal diplomatic
opportunities left no doubt that when
we said "strict accountability" we
meant precisely what we said, and
that We should unhesitatingly vindicate
that position, am confident that there
would have been no destruction of
American lives by the sinking of the
| LuSitania.
We should not have found it difficult
to maintain peace, but we should have
maintained peace with honor.
/ do not believe there is the slightest
danger Of mIIitarism in this country.
Adequate preparedness is not militar-
ism. It is the essential assurance of
: security it is a necessary safeguard Of
peace. 1t is apparent that we are
shockingly unprepared. There is no
room for controversy on that point
since the object lesson on the Mexican
| border.
We demand adequate national de-
fence adequate protection on both our
western and eastern coasts.
There should be not only a reasonable
increase in the regular army, but the
first citizen reserve subject to call
| should be enlisted as a federal army
and trained under federal authority
| When we contemplate industrial and
commercial conditions we see that we
are living in FOOLS paradise.
With the end of the war there will
be the new conditions determined by a
new Europe.
1t is plain that we must have pro-
tective, upbuilding policies. IT. is idle
to look for relief to the Democratic
party.
We need the encouragement and pro-
lection of the government for our ship
ping industry, but it cannot afford to
have the government as competitor.