Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-09-07
A Great Speech By The President.

President Wilson made a great speech
at Shadow Lawn last Saturday, upon the
occasion of his formal acceptance OF the
Democratic nomination for the presi-
dency. Some 5000 enthusiastic Demo-
Gratis assembled to attend the ceremony.
The notification speech was made by
Senator Ollie James, OF Kentucky, and
the Presidents reply, a carefully prepared
dc ,ument, was an able statement OF the
Democratic position in the present cam
paign. Here are some OF the gems TO
which President Wilson gave utterance !:
| shall seek, as have always sought.
TO Justify the extraordinary confidence
thus reposed in me by striving TO purge
my heart and purpose OF every personal
and OF every misleading party motive and
devotipg every energy have TO the ser
vice OF the nation as whole.
The Republican party was put out OF
power because OF failure, practical failure
and moral failure. Because il had served
special interests and not the country at
large; because, under the leadership OF
its preferred and established guides, OF
those who still make IFS choices, it had
lost touch with the thoughts and the
needs of the nation and was living IN a
past age and under fixed illusion, the
illusion OF greatness. The Republican
leaders, apparently. know OF no means OF
assisting business but protection.
How to stimulate if and put itupon new
footing OF energy and enterprise they have
not suggested.
The laws against trusts have been clari-
fled by definition, with view to making
il plain that they were not directed against
big business, but only against unfair bust
ness and the pretense OF competition
where there was none and Trade COM
mission has been created with powers Of
guidance and accommodation which have
relieved business men OF unfounded fears
and set them upon the road OF hopeful
and confident enterprise.
For the farmers of the country we have
virtually created commercial credit, by
means OF the Federal Reserve act and the
Rural Credits act. They now have the
standing OF other business men in the
money market. We have successfully
regulated speculation in cultures" and
established standards in the marketing OF
grains. BY an intelligent Warehouse act
we have assisted TO make the standard
crops available as never before both for
systematic marketing and as security
for loans from the banks. We have great
ly added 10 the work of neighborhood
demonstration on the farm itself OF i'm
proved methods of cultivation, and,
through the intelligent extension OF the
functions OF the Department OF Agricul-
ture, have made ii possible for the farmer
TO learn Systematically where his best
markets are and how to get at them.
We have effected the emancipation of
the children of the country by releasing
them from hurtful labor. We have in
stituted a system of national aid in the
building OF highroads such as the country
has been feeling after for century. We
have sought TO equalize taxation by
means OF an equitable income tax. We
have taken the steps that ought TO have
been taken at the outset TO open up the
resources of Alaska. We have provided
for national defense upon scale never
before seriously proposed upon the re-
sponSbilty OF an entire political party.
We have driven the tariff lobby from
cover and obliged it TO substitute solid
argument for private influence. This
extraordinary recital must sound like a
platform, list Of sanguine promises, but
il is not. 1t is a record of promises made
four years ago and now actually redeemed
in constructive legislation.
The people of the United States are
capable OF great SympathieS and a noble
pity in dealing with problems ofthis kind.
AS their spokesman and representative,
have tried to act in the spirit they would
wish me show. The people OF Mexico
are striving for the rights that are funda-
mental TO life and happineSS-l5, 900, 1000
oppressed men, overburdened women,
ard pitiful children in virtual bondage in
their own home Of fertile lands and in
exhaustible treasure! Some OF the
leaders Of the revolution may often have
been mistaken and violent and selfish,
but the revolution itself was inevitable
and is right. | am more interested in
the fortunes OF oppressed men and pitiful
women and children than in any property
rights whatever. Mistakes have no
doubt made in this purplexing business,
but not in purpose or object.
We are Americans for Big America, and
rejoice TO look forward 10 the days in
whrch America shall strive to stir the
world without irritating it or drawing it
on 10 new antagonsms, when the nations
with which we deal shall at last come TO
see upon what deep foundations Of
humanity and justice Our passion for
peace rests, and when all mankind shall
look upon our great people with new
sentiment OF admiration, friendly rivalry
and real affection, as upon people who,
though keen to succeed, seeks always to
10 be at once generous and just and to
whom humanity is dearer than profit or
selfish power.
Upon this record and in the faith oil
this purpose we 90 to the country.