The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-04-13
Roosevelt Is a born demagogue, how

Roosev is q born demsgogue, how
ever much contempt he may have for
rival demagogues like Bryan and
Hearst. Wilson despises all the arts Of
demagogy, but demagogy is vital to
the kind of campaign the Republicans
are trying to wage against Wilson.
Roosevelt has a gift for intrigue which
has not been eqplaled in American pol
itics since Aaron Burr. Wilson Is in
capable OF intrigue. Roosevelt is
lingo and imperialist, militarst with
the ambition Of dictator. Wilson is
against jingoism, against Imperialism,
against militarism and an answering
champion OF democracy. Roosevelt is
for war for wars sake. He believes in
il as one of the virile virtues as earn
estly as Bernhardt or Tirwitz believes
in it. Wilson is for peace as long as
peace can he maintained with honor
War TO him, is the last Of all last re-
sorts.
The moral aud political differences
in the two men are strikingly illustrat-
ed in their attitude toward treaty
pledges. In dealing with Colombia
Roosevelt adopted the course that
Germany subsequently followed in
dealing with Belgium. Trampling the
solemn treaty obligations of the United
States under foot, he took" what he
wanted in the name OF necessity, know
ing that it would work to mis- immedi-
ate political advantage.
Wilson, on the other hand, risked a
crushing political defeat in order to
force the repeal OF the free tolls provi-
sion OF the Panama Canal act for no
purpose except 10 keep the pledged
wsrd and the good faith OF the United
States unsulied.
These radically different courses OF
conduct toward treaty obligations were
not accidental. Each man in his &C
tions reflected his own soul, bis own
conscience and his own conception OF
government.
1t seems inevitable that Wilson and
Roosevelt must he the opposing candi-
dates in this campaign. Every foreign
or domestic policy OF the United States,
actual or potential, is somehow embod-
led in these two men-Germany, Next
co, preparedness, trusts, corporations,
everything. They would bring TO the
arbitrament Of the ballot box the vital
princi plies that in Europe have been
submitted TO the Court OF Blood and
Iron. The election would definitely |
decide the destiny OF the republic for
the nextg eneration--peace democracy. |
and liberty, or war and imperialism.
The World believes in the old democ-
racy, in the old faith OF the fathers in
the old principles Of government upon
which the republic was established. |
But it makes no claims TO infallibility |
The old democracy commands less yea
Grafton TO day than it ever before com
manded. The old faith OF the fathers
is publicly louttd. The old principles
OF government are boldly and agrees
lively challenged. Perhaps the Amerl- !
can people are ready for Fundamental |
change that will leave the form OF
their government Intact but revolu-
tionize It's spirit. Perhaps the Magma
Charta, the Bill OF Rights, the Declar.
alton of Independence and the Eman-
cipation Proclamation represent theor-
les that are dead and that it is time to
bury their carcasses.
In any event, tho world is firmly con-
WINGED that the principles and policies
represented by Woodrow Wilson and |
the principles and policies represented |
by Theodore Roosevelt ought TO be sub
pitted TO referendum OF the Ameri- |
can people. There alone is an issue
There alone is question worthy Of the |
judgment OF a great people sitting as
court OF last resort.
Woodrow Wilson will inevitably be |
the democratic candidate. The World |
repeats that If the Republican party is
honest in its antagonism 70 the Presi- |
dent, Theodore Roosevelt must be the |
Republican candidate for President. !
There can be no other.-New York |
Mnrl1