Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-16
@ thu Root Denoun Weakness Of the Wilson Administration and States
Campaign Issues Address Republican State Convenhon

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A single official expression by the
Government Of the United States, a
single sentence denying assent and re-
cording disapproval of what Germany
did in Belgium would have given to
the people of America that leadership
to which they were entitled in their
earnest cropping for the light. IT
would have ranged behind American
leadership the conscience and morality
Of the neutral world. 1t would have
brought to American diplomacy the
respect and strength of loyalty to q
great cause. But it was not to be.
The American Government failed to
rise to the demands Of the great oc-
casion. Gone were the old love Of
justice: the old passion for liberty:
the old sympathy with the oppressed;
the old ideals Of an America helping
the world towards a better future:
and there remained in the eyes OF
mankind only solicitude for trade and
profit and prosperity and wealth.
nc SAmSVuC0u AOv0TOU9uS
could not really have approved
the treatment Of Belgium, but I'M
der a mistaken policy it shrank
from speaking the truth. That
VITAL error has carried into every
effort Of our diplomacy the weak
ness of false position. Every
note of remembrance against in
reference with trade, or even
against the destruction Of life, has
been projected against the back
ground. Of an abandonment Of the
principles for which America
once stood, and has been weak
ened by the popular feeling among
the peoples Of Europe, whose
hearts are lifted up. by the i'm
pulses Of patriotism and sacrifice,
that America has become weak
and sordid.
DEMOCRATIC lNCAPAcITY.
I'VE have been following the path
of peace. We have been blindly
stumbling along the road that. con-
tinued. will lead to inevitable war
Our diplomacy has dealt with symp-
toms and ignored causes. The great
decisive question upon which our
peace depends is the question whether
the rule of action applied to Belgium
is to be tolerated. If it is tolerated
by the civilized world this nation will
have to fight for its life. There will
be no escape. That is the critical
point Of defence for the peace OF
America.
Upon the record of performance
which l have tried to describe. will
the American people say that the
Democratic party is entitled to be
continued in power?
The defects of the present Admin
iStration arise from two distinct
causes. The first is the tempera-
ment and training of the President
The second is the incapacity of tho
Democratic party as it is represented
in Washington both in the Legislative
and in the executive departments
either to originate wise policies or te
follow them when proposed by others
or to administer them effectively il
they are established.
REPUBLICANS RETURN.
But what are the people to expect
if the Republican party is restored tc
power?
This much we can say now:
They may expect with confidence
that their government will meet the
economic situation with which we
must deal Immediately upon the close
of the war. with policy Of moderate
but adequate protection to American
industry, based upon ascertained and
established facts. and inspired BY
sympathy with all honest American
enterprise and a desire for the pros
perity and happiness Of Americans OF
every calling and in every state.
They may expect that the govern
ment will be administered with the
honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations III
the past, in the interest of no section
or class. but for the interest of the
nation as a whole and in every part.
They may expect that the best
possible course for the preservation oil
peace will be followed by foreign
policy which, with courtesy and
friendliness to all nations, is frank
and fearless and honest in it's asser.
ton Of American rights, and leaves ne
doubt anywhere in the world OF
Americas purpose and courage t.
protect and defend her independence
her territory and the lives and JUS
rights of her citizens under the Law
of nations.
"They may expect that their gov:
eminent will stand for full and ade
quate preparation by the American
people for their own defense. TIL,
Republican party loves peace ant
hates war; it abhors and will never
submit to military domination; but il
is composed of men who love oul
country and who deem that the indie
pendence, the liberty, the honor ant
the opportunity of the American
democracy are not merely to be talket
about with weak and flabby sentiment
but are to be maintained and safe
guarded by the practical power Of &
virile and patriotic people. 1t is clea!
sighted enough to see that preparation
for defense must have due relation Il
the possibilities Of attack; that under
the conditions of modern Warfar,
much preparation must be made be.
fore a possible attack, or all prepare
ton will be impossible after the at.
tack. The Republican party stands