Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-16
THE PRIZE WINNERS
Winner of First Prize, $500
By ERNEST F. BoDDINGToN
Editorial stan, the Philadelphia North America
Pen name. 'Fearhy. ."

~ A1NANEOl lON
Editorial stan, the Philadelphia North American
Pen name. "Fearhy. y"
Winner Of First Prize, $500
Woodrow Wilson should be reelected be-
cause the people whom he has served owe
him Reelection. Moreover they owe Il TO
themselves TO see that he is reelected
Something finer than gratitude. something
bigger even than patriotism. demands that
they continue the chief among them as their
servant
Four years ago MIR. Wilson, personally
and through the platform OF the Democratic
party made certain promises, He was
elected TO transmute promise into fulfill
inent There is simple method by which
any voter not blinded by partisanship may
ascertain whether the mandate given has
been executed and whether the accomplish
ment has been worth while. Study OF the
speeches OF those opposed TO Mr. Wilson Is
all that Is necessary. His sopponents are
careful to avoid even hint OF desire to undo
any OF the progressive legislation which
has been enacted in the last four years.
They do not attack the extension OF the
parcel post they make no mention OF their
intention 20 revoke the rural credit act they
express no wish again TO enslaVe the chill
dren OF the factories whose emancipation
was secured 80 largely through the persist
ent activity of the President; rather than
discuss the logic Of the tarin board, which
shall assist scientifically in the solution OF
an intricate problem, they prefer to predict
bread lines and soup kitchens TO people
preternaturally prosperous.
Unable to dispute the record OF home
policy definitely stated and resolutey fol-
lowed, they focus their fury on the manner
in which the foreign affairs OF the country
have been administered. Discussion, so
called, OF the relations OF the United states
Alnut tNEa la0I
itself into vituperative attacks on the Pres
ident abuse is substituted for argument.
Here again. however, careful reading of
the addresses delivered by Mr. Wilson'S
opponents is enlghtening According 20
Colonel Roosevelt. the head OF the nation Is
a 'molycoddle" who "pussyfoots In ad-
dressing foreign Powers According to
Colonel Harvey. OF the North American Re-
view, 'it is not the President who has Kept
us out of war with Germany. IL Is the
Kaiser. Mr.. Wilson's notes have been true
ulent enough to make for war over and
over again, but Germany has averted con-
1ict az each psychological moment out OF
consideration for her own welfare, not as a
consequence OF any of the many things the
President has written" The utmost latitude
is permitted II only the voter will cast
ballot against woodrow Wilson. He may
do so because the President ''pussyfoots'
In his notes to Germany he Is invited, on
the other hand. TO punish Mr.. Wilson be-
cause he is too truculent and merely obtains
results.
For those who in some measure under
stand and appreciate the tenaclty win
which Woodrow Wilson clings TO those prin-
ciples on which this Republic was founded
there IA satisfaction in the knowledge that
during the present campaign considerable
attention is - he given to the Mexican sit
uation. The Presidents conception OF our
duty toward neighbor tom by revolution
and struggling from the blindness OF serf-
dom 10 the light OF liberty has been plainly
stated. He believes that Mexico has the
right TO worA out its own salvation. He
does not forget, as do many OF his fellow
countrymen that these United states were
born in the agony Of revolution. He has
little sympathy for the wa"ers OF the bloody
shirt who shout that the only good Mexican
Is a dead Mexican, the while the band plays
OF Yankee Decide" the tatterdemalion who
stuck feather in his hal and called II
macaroni.
In the illumination OF this attitude to-
ward Mexico the full meaning OF much OF
the work accomplished at nome Is revealed.
Such an ideal OF real Americanism un-
ashamed made imperative tile fulillment OF
promises TO those long ignored 10 the op-
pressed consumer to the derlded farmer. to
the helpless child
1t may be- as the Secretary OF Commerce
declared in a recent speech. that In few
short years the United States with its ma
terial resources. Its intelligence and organi-
zatlon, shall become the first among the
worlds great trading nations. 'Tis
consummatlon deyoutly TO be wished n, as
MIR. Rsdheld was careful TO remind his hear
ers, we remember that commerce In mutual
exchange 20 mutual benefit and not a species
OF Industrial war. But what shall Il profit
America II. with material resources. intel
ligence and organization. the nation lose Its
al aaauIar alaI
lege, materialism gross and boastful re-
turn TO replace unselnsh service for all
classesf
Woodrow Wilson alone Is not responsible
for the spiritual awakening OF the Re-
public Political circles are not alone In
FEELING the strivings after that righteous
ness which exalts nations The churches
have heard the call to social service manu-
facturers have been stirred 10 activities
which few years ago they would have
regarded as experiments In socialism. But
the fact remains that tks new movement
In its many manifestations finds IN Wood
row Wilson It's duplication and It's embodi-
ment II. as men OF different political
faiths unite In asserting, the next four years
are likely TO be years OF supreme Importance
10 the United States, Il is necessary 10 the
real Development or the nation that the
oflce OF the presidency be filled by one
who has demonstrated that he is in touch
with the spirit OF the times.
Mr. Wilson's opponent has announced
that he is a 100 per cent candidate" In |
view OF his actions earlier In the cam
paign, notably In California and in In |
diana. there is no reason tc dispute the |
Classification. But what Is needed Ia not a |
100 per cent candidate. but a 100 per cent |
president. This the nation already has
in the person Of Woodrow Wilson. and this |
unless all signs fall, IL intends 70 keep,