South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-18
Hughes andRoot
Both Approve of
Wilson Policies

The president Is doing magnif-
Gently"
This is the endorsement Charles Z.
Hughes gave TO Pres't Wilson toward
the end of the first six months of
the democratic administration. 1t is
vouched for by Dudley Field Ma
lone, collector of the port of New
York, who says Mr Hughes made
the remark to him in Washington.
in discussing the difficulties that con-
fronted the president
This endorsement recalls a sim
liar che by ex-Sen. Elihu Root made
on April 25. 1914. before the Amer
lean society Of international law.
The follOwil5 account of it is taken
from the Washington Post of April
26. 1914:
With tears streaming down his
cheeks and a voice that shook with
emotion. Sen. EIihu Root stood be-
fore the guests at the annual ban
quet of the American Society of In
/ ternational Law. at the Willard, last
night and declared his loyalty TO the
president in everything he might do
in this country's complications with
Mexico.
Senator Root did not know then
that a plan Of mediation was under
way, through the good offices of Ar
gentina, Chilli and Brazil. Apparent
" he had not the slightest mixing
that mediation was about 10 inter-
vene between this country and dread
war. though at the moment he was
speaking a score of newspaper men
were vainly trying to reach him TO
ask If he was in favor of or opposed
to mediation.
The senator's first knowledge Of
the move was when the secretary of
state arose and, after a few prelim-
mary remarks, made public the in
terchange of notes between the de-
partment of state and the South
American countries.
The moment the trend of the me
diation notes was understood there
was a storm of applause that con-
| tinued several minutes. 1t was one
of the most dramatic scenes ever
witnessed at a gathering in the ma
| tional capital The intense relief
over the sudden change in the war
/
/ secretary of state was the last speak
er and his message of peace was a
l complete surprise for though the
/ Post had announced in an extra the
proposed plan of mediation. it was af-
/ ter the banqueters had assembled.
and probobly no one in the room
knew of il. outside OF Sec'y Bryan.
Sen. Roots Pledge of loyalty TO
/ Pres't Wilson was dramatically elo-
quent. He said:
CT have been feeling very
unhappy during the last few
days over our affairs in Mexico.
1t is not in the possibilities of
human nature to avoid differ
ences of opinion as TO policy.
and every one who has a duty
TO perform must act according
10 the dictates of his own judg-
ment and own conscience in the
performance of that duty
wish the cup could pass from
us"
At this point in his speech the SEN
ator's voice grew husky and tears
welled from his eyes. as he went on:
But the president has acted
upon his responsibility and his
conscience. He is the head OF
this great nation. II is for the
nation that he acts No matter
how we NAV have differed in
our opinion OF policy in the past.
we must all. every one of US.
stand Loyalty by him There
must be no backward look. but
forward. for the success and
honor of our beloved country.
which we best serve in LOYAL
support OF the chief magistrate
upon whom rests the response
bility Of leadership.
Thank Heaven. we have
president in whose lofty Charac-
ter, i'm whose sincerity OF DUR
pose. in his genuine desire to do
what is best for the country and
humanity. we can all trust alb
solutely. I trust i'm IL. I have
differed from him in questions
of policy. and doubtless shall
differ from him again. Men
coming up with different envi-
ronments and associations and
ideas must differ: but / have
confidence in the character and
purpose Of the president OF the
United states He il my presi-
dent. and will stand behind
him i'm his leadership
Senator Root then asked an &c
stand and drink the toast 10 The
president which he said should bs