Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-21
Why Change?

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w because his country needs him where
he is. The United States enjoys to-day an
honorable peace and All unparalleled pros
perity. Neither the one nor the other is of
Wilson'S creation, but his wise craftsmanship
has maintained and strengthened both
Through four years or unceasing difficulty
danger and perpleXty, with half the earth
in arms. with law scorncd and derded he
has conserved his country's welfare and up
held his country's honor.
-Four years ago successful revolt against
hoary wrongs had installed in the palace of
the Mexican Presidents an amiable visionary
whose hand was weaker than his heart was
pure--who could not compose the angry pas
sions he had aroused, cure the resentpents
he had created by stripping power of privi-
lege nor bring tho poems the millcnnial dawn
he had half-promised and they had wholly
expected.
Baiiled greed joined forces with distorted
ambition TO displacc Madero and restore the
old piratical regime, and NIadero, dreamer
ana visionary still. placed his life in the
hands OF soldier he had honored and
exalted. When Woodrow Wilson became
President OF the United States, those same
hands. dyed with their benefactor's blood
mad seized the rcins OF power
This was the situation with which Wilson
had TO deal. 1t was not moral issue alto
getlIer, although to have acknowledged
degradation. The universal eXecration with
which Madero's assassination had been
greeted had been followed by revolution. 1t
was apparent from the start not only that
Hucrta's rule ought not to endure but that
it could not endure. Where Diaz had failed
it was not for a less able but more ruthless
despot to hope TO succeed.
Tho Presidents Mexican policy has been
predicated on the conviction that an ordered
and peaceful Mexico conscious of its inter
national obligations. hereafter must be the
product OF a government rendered responsive
to the popular Will Only Il free Mexico can
dwell at peace with itself and the world
None other deserves our aid or sympathy;
none other can offer assurance of that Next
can stability which is own countrv's COM
pelling need.
The President loves his own people first
and serves them first. but he is wise enough
10 understand that such love and service are
not antasonized, but Loyalty aided. by justice
10 all mankind. He perceives the modern
falacy OF
Tho good old rule the simple
Thf g. he n,; sh !, Il. take Who has the power
He pcrceivcs that in this age Of the world
The passions and jeaousies that plan pro-
vokos spell destruction. He sees this truth
written III letters OF blood across the face
OF Europe. He knows natures first law OF
s"ll-prescrvation works best nowadays when
tempered by the golden rule. His whole ad-
ministratton impresscs this elemental but
neglected truth. Abroad he stands untlinch-
ing Tor mercy, justice and human rights. At
home he opens new gates OF opportunity to
the average man. The great constructive
measures OF his administration are all levers
which thrust these gates further jar
-Four years more OF Wilson mean four years
more OF peace with honor. OF prosperity with
preparedness 10 guard and keep it, Who Is
mad enough TO wish to substitute uncertainty
Tor certainty, instability for stability, the
menace OF reaction and the burden OF special
privilege for the broad vision and substantial
achievements OF one who has been Justly esti
mated the greatest progressive statesman
since Thomas Jefferson?