The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-03-24
BLUNDERS OF THE
Administration
Wilson Has Failed In Foreign
and Domestic Policies.

Address as Temporary Chairman o,
New York Republican Convention
Points Out Sins OF Democratic Com.
mission and omission--aWs Havs
Lost lnflusnce Because We Have
Been Brave In Words and lrrssoluts
In Action"
In bis address as 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 a contest Tor
the election Of a president and the con-
troll OF government under conditions
essentially new In the experience OF
our party and OF our country. The
forms and methods which we are
about TO follow are old and familiar,
but the grounds for action, the demand
OF great events for decision upon ma.
tional conduct, the moral forces urg.
ing TO a solution OF vaguely outlin.
ed questions, the tremendous con-
sequences OF wisdom or folly Ia nation
al policy, all these are new to the great
mass OF American voters now living.
Never since 1864 has an election been
fraught with consequences so vital to
national life All the ordinary consid-
erations which play so great a part In
our presidential campaigns are and
ought to be dwarfed into lnsignificance.
Democratic Party to the Bar.
For the first time In twenty years we
enter the field as the party OF opposi.
ton. and indeed 1t Is much longer
time, for In 1896, In all respects save
the tariff, the real opposition to the
sturdy and patriotic course of Presi.
dent Cleveland was to be 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 1t upon Its defense
so far as we see Just and substantial
grounds to critlcise its conduct and to
ask the voters OF the country to decide
whether that party, organized as 1t is,
represented as 1t has been since It
came into power. has shown itself
competent to govern the country as 1t
should be governed and whether its
spirit. It's policies. and its performance
are the best that the American people
can do in the way of popular self gov
eminent
In the field of domestic affairs some
facts relevant TO these questions had
been ascertained when in Au-
gust, 1914, the great European war
began. During the year and a half OF
Democratic control of government IN
a period Of profound peace there had
been a steady decrease in American
production, in exports and in revenues
and a steady increase In imports and
expenditures. Enterprise had halted.
The Democratic tariff had been framed
upon an avowed Reputation of all pro-
lection, however moderate and reason
able, and because all protection was
repudiated practically all information
from competent witnesses as to the ef-
feet new provisions would have upon
business was rejected. 1t was with
lust cause that the enterprise OF the
country halted. timid and irresolute
because 1t felt and feared the hostility
of government
Foreign Composition After War.
The great war has not changed the
lesson which we had already learned
when II began. 1t has but obscured
demonstration. 1t has caused
N enormous demand for some things
which the United States il able to pro
luce In large quantities. and In these
ines Of production, while other indus
rles still languish, there have been ex-
ensiye employment of labor, great ex-
,orts and great influx OF money.
But this Is temporary. 1t must soon
ease, and when the factories have
stopped and their laborers are no
onger employed we must deal with a
for which wise forethought
hould make provision More impor-
ant still, the war has paralyzed the
peaceful industries OF all Europe and
las stopped that competitive foreign |
production which In July. 1914, had al |
eady entered American markets to |
American products under |
he tariff law OF 1913. The war has
hus given TO American products an
from competition far more
Elective than any possible protective
arlff- But that is temporary. and
when the war Is over. when foreign
reduction begins again. the American
market compared with impoverished
Europe will be more than ever before
he object Of desire and effort. and we
hall become the dumping ground Of
he world 20 the destruction OF our
WIN industries unless that Is prevented
y wise and competent government
How canWs Defend oursslvss7
But II Is not from domestic ques
Ions that the most difficult problems
{ this day arise. The events of the
lst few years have taught US many
.sSons, We have learned that civlliza
on II but veneer thinly covering the
lyage nature OF man. How can this
alton. which loves peace and Intends
iEtice. avoid the curse OF militarism