New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-18
Nationalism the Real Issue.


Nationalism is the real issue Of the
Presidential campaign. The creation OF
& genuine national spirit, Of a habit Of
mind which will instinctively subordinate
local, sectional, racial, class or individual
interests TO the interests Of the nation as
a whole, is the greatest task now con-
fronting the people of the United States.
We have been handicapped by many
unfortunate traditions. Chief among
these are an excessive reverence for state
rights, too wide dispersion Of govern
mental authority, resulting in weak and
wasteful administration; sectionalism,
with its narrow and selfish outlook; eco
nomic inefIiciency, due largely to an easy
going tolerance of the rule Of greed and
force in labor and in industry; fatuous
overestimate Of our real power and status
in the world and consequent neglect to
provide means for maintaining our ma
tional prestige when it is challenged by
other nations, which realize our impo-
tency much more clearly than we do.
What has happened in the last two
years has shown us the necessity Of cut
ting loose from the folles of the past
and developing ourselves into a strong,
coherent, thoroughly organized and united
nation. The time to push that reorgani-
zation is now. The political party to put
in power is the one best fitted to do the
work Of reconstruction-whos historical
tendencies and whose present leadership
are most in harmony with the ideals Of
reinvigorated nationalism.
Here is the issue of the campaign which
overshadows all others. Will Mr.. Hughes,
as President, aided by a Republican Con-
gress, do more to restore American pres
tige, TO strengthen the national defence
and 70 promote national efficiency gen.
orally than Mr.. Wilson will if he is re-
elected and the Democratic party again
controls Congress?
The record of the last three and half
years shows what the Democratic party,
under President Wilson's leadership, has
done and indicates what it would con-
tinue to do under the same leadership.
Mr.. Wilson has failed signally 10 main
tain American rights abroad-to protect
American lives and property either on
the high seas or in Mexico. The Lust
tania massacre has not yet been disavowed.
In Mexico scores Of Americans have been
murdered and American property valued
at hundreds Of millions Of dollars has
been destroyed. Yet we are still in the
first stages Of an international inquiry TO
determine whether or not compensation
for such outrages and cessation Of them
shall or shall not await the completion of
the righteous" revolution which for
three years past has delivered Mexico
over TO anarchy.
In the case of Mexico Mr.. Wilson has
set up the preposterous defence that the
sacrifice Of American lives and property
10 matter on how great a scale, ought no.
to be permitted to interfere with the
progress Of a revolution which, according
70 the professions Of the bloodthirsty sol
diers Of fortune who are conducting it, is
going 70 usher in a new era of social JUS
tise for the downtrodden Mexican poems
But this fantastic plea is merely intended
TO cover up a shameful dereliction of duty
on Mr.. Wilson's part lie has not pro
tected American lives and property in
Mexico, because he never was concerned
enough about them TO protect them. In
his dealings with Mexico he has always
sought the easiest way out. His diplo
macy was epitomized in his and Mr.
Bryan's appeal 10 Americans 10 get out OF
Mexico and stay out, all their non-porta
/ bic property and the lives Of those who
remained in spite Of this sage advice be
ing left 10 the tender mercies Of the
desperadoes conducting the campaign oi
social justice for the peons-with re
mote chance Of compensation or repara
ton after the sacred processes Of the rev
olution had been accomplished.
Mr. Wilson has demo 1strated that h
will not enforce American rights abroad
il he can find any more or less plausible
excuse for not enforcing them. Mr.
Hughes, on the contrary, has pledged him
self 70 maintain such rights with all th'
power at the disposal Of the Federal gov
eminent. On this point there can be NJ
doubt which candidate is the better rep
resentative Of the spirit and programme
Of genuine nationalism.
Mr. Wilson has failed 70 provide tn
means Of protecting American right
abroad, depending on notes for that ser
vice rather than on military preparation
He has not even put the country into ;
proper condition 20 defend itself agains
aggression. lie has never been sincerel,
and whole-heartedy for adequate pre-
paredness. lie undoubtedly spoke his in
most thought on the subject when he toll
Congress in December, 1914: "The coun
try has been misinformed. We have mo-
been negligent Of sef-defence. II