New Britain herald., 1916-06-26

evident that this preparedness for the tasks of peace forms the only sound basis for that indispensable military preparedness which rests on universal military training, and which finds ex- pression in universal obligatory ser vice in time of war Such universal obligatory training and service are the necessary complements of uni versal suffrage, and represent the req lzation of the true American, the demo ocratic, ideal in both peace and war.
 Will Continue His Work.
 Sooner or later the national prin- ctples championed by the progressives of 1912 must in their general effect be embodied in the structure of our national existence. With all my heart I shall continue to work for these great ideals, shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who in 1912 championed them and I am sure that these men and women will show a like loyalty to the other, the funda mental ideals which the events of the past two years have proven to be vital to the permanency of our na- tional existence. The method by which we are to show our loyalty to these ideals must be determined in each case by the actual event. Our loyalty is to the fact, to the principle, to the ideal. and not merely to the name, and least of all to the party name.
 The progressive movement has been given an incalcula ble impetus by what the progressive party has done. Our strongest party antagonists have ac- cepted and enacted into law. or em- bodied in their party platforms, very many of our most important prin- ciples. Much has been accomplished in awakening the public to a better understanding of the problems of so- cial and industrial welfare.
 Yet it has become entirely evident that the people under existing condi- tions are not prepared to accept a new party.
 It is impossible for us prOgressives to abandon our convictions. But we are faced with the fact that as things actually are the progressive national organization no longer offers the means whereby we can make these convictions effective in our national life. Under such circumstances, our duty is to do the best we can, and not to sulk because our leadership is
  to believe that the course we advo- cated was in the highest interest of the American people is aside from the question. It is unpatriotic to refuse to do the best possible merely be- cause the people have not put us in position to do what we regard as the very best. It remains for us. good humoredly and with common sense to face the situation and endeaVOr to get out of it the best that it can be made to yield from the standpoint of the interests of the nation as whole.
 Democratic Shortcomings.
 This was the situation at the opening of the present year. It was clearly evident that unless a cataclysm occurred the presidential election would result in the choice of either the republican Or the democratic nom- inee The present administration, during it's three years of life, had been guilty of shortcomings more signal than those of any administration since the days of Buchanan. From the standpoint of national honor and 4n- terest, 1t stood on an even lower level than the administration of Buchanan. No administration is our history had done more to relax the spring of the national will and to deaden the na- tionaI conscience. Within the repub- lican party conflicting forces were at work. There were men among the organization leaders who advocated a course of action such as offered no improvement upon the democratic position, and advocated the nomina- tion of candidates whose election would have represented no improve ment upon the continuance in office of Mr. Wilson. If such a course were followed, it would obviously become our duty to run third ticket. But it was plainly our duty to do everything honorable in order to prevent such necessity; to do everything short of sacrificing our most sacred convic- tions in order to secure the align ment under one leadership of the forces opposed to the continuance in power of MT. Wilson and the demo- cratic party.
 Under these circumstances the pro- gressive national committee, at Chica- go, in January, outlined our duty to seek common action with the repub- lican party, using the following words: "Our people are seeking lead ership-leadership of the. highest or der and most courageous character; leadership that will draft to itself for the country's benefit the unselfsh and patriotic services of it's ablest citizens. The surest way to secure for our coun- try the required leadership will be by having, if possible, both the progress Bive and republican parties choose the same standard bearer and the same principles"
 Six weeks later, on March 9th in my