Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-03
Courage and Candor

COURAGE and candor, we have been told
~ by certain of his enemies, are traits of
character Woodrow Wilson lacks. Colonel
Roosevelt especially. is fond of drawing his
long bow across this particular string and
the strident notes thus produced are heard
even now in the land or course, they are
false notes
Just how false they are is shown in the
indignant resentment with which the Presl-
dent answered the telegram of that Jeremiah
OLeary who Is the chief officer Of the Ameri-
can Truth Socety-Heaven save the mark.
OLeary's Truth Society" is pro-German
organization. which for long months has been
waging q campaign against the sales of NUM-
lions by this country to the allies: against
American subscriptions to allied loans:
against the Presidents insistence that Ameri-
can citizens shall not be deprived of their
rights on the high seas; against all efforts
to prevent the ruthless German submarine
warfare from being waged on neutrals as
we'll as on belligerents.
In O'Leary's view, the Presidents asser-
ton Of American rights against Germany is
reasonable" Because Mr.. Wilson has
stood unfinchingly for those neutral prvi-
leges civilization has wrested from war, and
for the safety and honor of his people, dts
loyalty lifts its hand--and meets scathing
condemnation.
II would feel deeply mortified" the Presi-
dent telegraphed O'Leary, in answer to the
most recent volley of abuse Ito have you or
anybody like YOU vote for me- In these
words are courage and candor enough to
sntisfy the most hostile critic.
But what, meantime. of Mr.. Wilson'S op-
ponent In tho presidential race? What of the
insults without number that are being heaped
on the head Of Charles Evans Hughes? Dis
loyal Americans. as the New York Times
says. have been telling the country that
he was with them. that as President he would
be their instrument and that of their foreign
ruler, and that by the election of such man
they would rebuke Woodrow Wilson for de-
Tending American rights" And the Times
continues The telegram this man sent to
Mr.. Wilson was only an impertinence The
message he and all his kind have been daily
delivering 10 MIR. Hughes is deep and ter
rible insult. which Americans have been vain
ly waiting for him to rebuke"
Where now are the courage and candor his
partisans say distinguish the Republican can
didate? Decent Republican newspapers
searching for the answer to this question
cannot find ii. When they speak at all it Is
to point 10 the circumstance that Colonel
Roosevelt is among the supporters OF Hughes
This will not satisfy honest men who would
have honest doubts resolved, because if
Hughes is to be Judged by his supporters. lie
already has been convicted. II Hughes is
entitled to the allegiance Of the hyphenates
as they proclaim and he does not deny he
should not receive the vote of single citizen
to whom America First" is more than an
empty political phrase.
OI4eary. however his principles may be de-
tested, deserves gratitude for having brought
this overshadowing issue to the front. 1t is
the great issue of the campaign and OIL it.
soon or late, Mr.. Hughes must find courage
and candor TO declare his stand