The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-20
THE FARMER: SEPTEMBER 20, 1916

returning to the Republican party as it is made up and controlled today? It is the same old party from which he withdrew in disgust in 1912. It has the same old stand pat leaders. Here they are: Penrose, Lodge, Shoot, Oliver. Gallinger & Co. How has it changed? For the worse if anything; if there could be any worse. In 1912 and in 1916 they are just the same. They are as opposed to any progressive legislation now as they were when MT. Progressive, out of self-respect left. The bill of fare they offer you is just the same. There is absolutely no change in the politi- cal menu card that they submit to you and ask you to return to live in the Hotel de Standpat. And you can bet, if you are inclined to take a chance, that there will be no change in the food as long as the old chiefs hold their jobs.
 Unless the Progressives were blind ly following an individual instead of a principle why should they go back ? If they were merely following the man they had honored with leadership and who. had solemnly promised never to forsake them or their cause, isn't it about time they ended their blind devotion and opened their eyes when that same man proves to be a betrayer of their cause and a traitor to their party?
 'In the only speech he has thus far made in, the campaign. this same man who did not hesitate to call those who did not agree with him or follow him crooks and thieves, in his devllish hate and with horrifyfng irreverence dares to compare the President of the United States to Pontius Pilate- With stupendousi conceit he is asking de- cent men to follow his lead and take his advice What a spectacle in Amer ican politics. A man who had been favored with the Presidency has so little regard for the most honorable office in the civic world that he com pares its distinguished occupant to hip who ordered the cruciffxicl on Cal vary. Terrifying as is the awful thought yet the little finger of that same Pontius Pilate who pronounced the judgment, was worth more than the whole carcass of the miserable wretch who betrayed the Master. Every great cause, no matter how just, how high or how holy, has had it's traitors The Progressive party of 1916 had its Judas Iscariot-
 Aside from sentimental or ethical reasons ProgressiveS should in this election be with the Democrats The only difference between the Progress sive program of 1912 and the record of thd Wilson administration is that the ptogram is a. promise of reform leeislation and the record of the Dem ocratic party consists of those same promises crystaIlized into the law of the land
 But leaving aside all that the ad- ministration of President Wilson has accomplished along the Iine of legis- lation that the Progressives would have enacted and all that was enact ed according to or without promise and which has been of incalculable benefit to the whole country. there is one remaining, paramount reason for the triumphant reelection of the President. He has kept us out of war at home and abroad He has kept us out of war. Do you realize what that means? Candidate Hughes and Senator Brandegee may sneering- lv refer to that accomplishment, put the American people do not sheer at it. It was negotiate or intervene in Mexico It was negotiate or break of diplomatic relations with GeSmany. As you we'll know intervention ana severing diplomatic relations are the first steps toward war. Would MT. Huebes intervene? He doesn't say so. He dare not If he would not Intervene he must have done what the. President has done. It is the same with the European situation MT. Hughes dare not say that ne "ouiu have broken off diplomatic reiatlons on account of the Lusitanla or tne submarine policy generally. lie would have done as fhe President has done' b1t he is not fair enough to say so'
 we have been kept out or wa ana we are enjoying peace with honor anu as MT. Cummings so well sald unoer conditions that emphasize it's prlce- less worth.
 '.The loss on one side in this terri- ble war across the sea mas alreauy reached nearly 3.o0O,000 men, kliieu or wounded. Three niil1on!
 "That is about three times as many men as there are men, women ana children in the state of Cennectlcut. The policy of the President mas Kept ne .fron war As Governor Glynn so to,,chingly expressed it in his great sneech at the St. Louis convention;
 !" This policy may not sat1sry those who revel in destruction ana I1no measure in dispair. It may not saliS- fv the fire eater or the swash-buckler; but it does satisfy those who worship a+ the altar of the God of Peace. It does satisfy the mothers Of the lana at whose hearth and fireside no lingo istie war has placed an empty chaar It does satisfy the daughters or the land from whom brag, and bluster have. sent no beloved brother to the dissolution of the grave? It does sat- isfy the fathers of this land and the sons of this land. wHe will fight for our flag and die fof eur flag when reason primes the rifle; when honor draws the sword and justice breathes its blessine on the standards they up- hold.' 't
 May that spirit of true American ism and true patriotism so beautifully expressed always'iHspire us and guide us in our civic duties \
 God of Nations and God of Jus- tice! Keep we pray Thee eur Presi- dent strong and devoted to the trust of leadership imposed upon him by vo1,r grace and the will of the people of this great land. May he continue to guide cur beloved country in paths