New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-21
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In the coming Presidential election
the Independent voter. the man who refuses
to permit his vote to be finally controlled by
the authority Of any political party, will be
called upon TO make choice between two
candidates each Of whom presents certain
ell-founded claims for his support 1t is
not often that our voters have had the oppor-
tunity Of choosing between candidates whose
character and careers have given evidence Of
such assured ability and high standard
OF citizenship. Whether the next President
be Mr.. Wilson or Judge Hughes, the country
may be assured that its affairs during the
next four years will be in the hands of a man
Of high purpose, Of assured patriotism and
as has not always been the case with Ameri-
can Presidents) of intellectual eminence and
of mental training. The supporters of Pres-
dent Wilson are able to point to certain i'm
portant achievements during his past term
which have been of Importance for the honor
and welfare Of the country and which entitle
him TO the respect and appreciation of pa
triotic American citizens. Among these may
be specified the repeal Of the Panama tolls
act, the reduction of the tariff and the or
ganization Of a national financial system. The
citizens may also be sympathetic with the
Presidents desire 10 preserve the United
States from the burdens and the horrors of
war.
A large body Of Americans have however,
found ground for question. for criticism, and
even for indignation, at what has seemed 10
u
and In the enforcement Of national policy.
These Americans claim that under the lead
ership OF the President and his associates in
the Cabinet the United States has failed TO
secure for United States citizens the protec-
ton 10 which they were entitled. They claim
/ further that under the same vacillating and
timid leadership the United States has failed
to fulfil its duty in the matter of the main
tenance OF the rights OF neutral states and in
the protection not only OF American citizens,
but Of non-combatants generally. They feel
that the Administration, and the Democratic
party behind the Administration, In their lack
o. full understanding Of the nature of our ma
tonal obligation, have failed to take prompt,
consistent and effective action for the organ
zation OF our national resources, and that
as the result OF the long delay in beginning
the preparation for such organization and
the inadequacy OF the measures finally
adopted, the reputation Of the nation has
suffered and We have been called upon TO &C
cept, alike from Mexico and from Berlin,
communications which were combination OF
childishness and insolence. These citizens
believe that such weakness and vacilation.
instead Of protecting the country against war,
increase the risk Of war and add enormously
to the peril OF defeat and modification II war
should result
/ The President has from the beginning been
willing TO carry on the government with a
weak Cabinet, and in reserving 10 himself, a.
ne has done so largely, the decisions as to
the actions OF the Administration he must
accept the full responsibility for the results
of such actions There is legitimate criti-
cism also on the grounds of the self-suffi
cheney OF the President. A trained man
ought to recognize his own limitations and
should not depend upon his own authority on
matters upon which he has not had expe-
rience. The President has repeatedly refused
70 accept counsel and information from
parties who had authority and direct knowl-
edge His refusal, for instance, to give con-
sideration 70 information from Americans
who were familiar with Mexican conditions
has undoubtedly added TO the difficulties OF
his Mexican policy. His refusal TO listen 10
the opinions Of the business interests. as pre-
sented through the unanimous protests of
the chambers OF commerce throughout the
country, has given to the merchants the con-