The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-09-13
And Gives Good Reasons
For Stand.
REVIEWS PRESIDENTS TRIALS
Lifelong Republican and a Strong
Supporter OF RoOseveIt's
Candidacy.
GREAT INVENTOR SPEAKS OUT

The following was taken from the
Philadelphia North American, one
of the stalwart Republican newspa-
pers of the country, bearing date of
September 4, 1916:
Saratoga, N. Y, Sept. 3.-Thomas
A. Edison, inventor. lifelong Repub-
lican and a strong supporter of The
odore Roosevelt's candidacy for the
Republican nomination, made an
nouncement to-day of his intention
to vote and work for Woodrow Will
son. He said
Not since 1860 has any campaign
made such direct call on simon
pure Americanism. The times are
too serious to talk or think in terms
of Republicanism or Democracy.
Real Americans must drop parties
and get down to big, fundamental
principles.
More than any other President
in my memory, Wilson has been
faced by a succession of tremendous
problems, any one of which decided
the wrong way would have had dis
astrous consequences. Wilson's de-
cisions so far have not put us into
any serious trouble, nor are they
likely to.
He has given us peace with hon.
or. This talk about the United
States being despised is nonsense.
Neutrality is a mighty trying policy.
but back of it are international law,
the rights of humanity and the fu-
ture of civilization.
with reference to Mexico, I
think that the President has acted
wisely, justly and courageously. 1t
was right that the United States
should not have recognized such a
murderous personality as Huerta. 1
do not believe that We should have
,.jrtervened nor do / believe that We
should intervene now.
"Mexico is a troublesome neigh
Dor just now. but war and conquest
is not going to make her better
kle. Both against England and
against human slavery the United
States worked out it's salvation
through revolution. and it was a
pretty slow, trying process.
1T has been said that Wilson at
first was against preparedness. Per-
haps he was, but when convinced
that intelligent public opinion was
overwhelmingly in favor of it he
changed. That is the proper thing
for our Presidents to do. A Presi- |
dent defiant of public opinion would
be a dangerous man in our system
Of government.
His attitude ON the atriff shows
an equal openness OF mind. A tariff !
commission will take the whole |
problem out of politics. 1t is my
hope that experts will be named. and |
that the body will be continuing and |
vested almost with the dignity OF the !
Supreme Court.
"They say Wilson has blundered.
Perhaps he has. But | notice that
he usually plumbers forward, You
can't get 1O0-per-cent efficiency in a
democracy. l don't know that We
ought to want 1t. We would be ma
chimes, and we would have to sac
rifice too much OF freedom.
"As | said at the start, 1t has been
just one big thing after another for
Wilson. / have never known so
many dangerous questions brought
up for decision to any one President.
Latest he had the general strike of
the skilled railway men. which, II
carried out. would have thrown the
whole country into confusion and
proven q calamity that, in certain
eventualities. would have had results
bound to extend over long period
of time. He acted with his usual
courage and sanity.
"In my opinion. Mr.. Hughes. II
President. would have found 1t diff
hcult to decide on the best course
for the government to take on the
railroad situation. His capacity for
hindsight, as We learn from his
speeches, Is highly developed, but as
to his foresight. We are not equally
well informed.
"Mr. Wilson has now had about