The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-09-10
Tba graphic represnfaon SrosOfb U s. Macy
Book be iISued Sept ,

Witch ONGI III ptuCll, lut NIlllHS III III
and curiously like old English print.
Glancing through them, | saw that
he had merely jotted down a number
of fiat statements of political belief.
But what about a discussion of
these issues, Mr.. Edison?" | urged.
THE people of the United States feel
that you"
"Shucks!" With his fingers he wig.
gled the compliment away from him.
81 say that I'm for Woodrow Wilson.
! say it because | feel that it's up to
every man in times like these to take
position. But, pshaw!" He shook
his head, its just my opinion"
"NIr. Edison has always been a
republican" suggested Mr.. Saunders,
"and-"
Don't put in anything about party"
Mr. Edison caught the suggestion al d
dissented vigorously. "Times are too
serious to talk in terms of re2uhli-
canism or democracy. Parties arr I'll
right. Reckon we've got to have
them with our system of government
But when it's America that's at stake
men have got to vote as Americans,
and not as democrats or republicans
This man Wilson has had mighty
hard time of it," he continued, 81
don't believe there was ever a presi-
dent who had as many big questions
to decide, as many big problems TO
solve. One has followed the other,
and now and then they have come in
lunches. He hasn't always pleased
me, just as | suppose he hasn't alN ays
pleased other people, but when you
look the record over, it's so good that
criticism comes close to being rothing
more than cheap fault finding.
"a fool or a coward you'll have
had the United States in all sorts Of
trouble. As it is, we are at peace, the
country was never more osJerous,
and we have the strength that comes
with honor ard integrity Of purpose"
80 you don't agree with these
people who insist that the United
States has earned the contempt of tie
world?" / asked.
"Bosh! Neutrality is a mighty try
ing policy, but back of it are inter-
national law, the rights of humanity
and the whole future of civilization.
Wilson has won victories by diplo-
macy that ere far more important to
mankind than any victories that we
could have won by war. am no paci-
fist. l believe that there are times
when a nation has got to fight. But
war for the sake of war, or war for
purposes of conquest, is horrible and
unthinkable.
81 imagine that Wilson wasn't very
keen for preparedness at first. But
when he saw that intelligent public
opinion was Overwhelmingly in favor
OF 1t, and that our own safety demand
ed 1t, he set machinery to work that
will give us sound, sane,
and adequate national defense. What
If it was a change of mind. A presi-
dent who refused to change his mind
to meet changed conditions would be
a dangerous man"
"You say here in your notes that it
would have been neither wise nor
right for the United States to have
recognized Huerta?"
Absolutely" Mr.. Edison never
gains emphasis by beating the table
with his fist. He depends almost en-
tirely upon finger shaking. "a inur-
derous personality. Had we recog-
nized him, It would have served n1lice
upon the world that the Tinted states,
while believing in democracy for home
use was willing to stand for despot-
ism where other peoples are concern
cd. 1t would have been a blow at
constitutional government in every
republic Of South and Central Amer
lea. stating to every scoundrel that
all he had to do TO win the approval
OF America was to assassinate a pres
ident
"No. sirl President Wilson's Mex
ican policy has been wise and just
and courageous. Mexico has been a
troubleome neighbor. but war and con-
quest are not going to make her a
better one. Both against England,
and then against human slavery, the
United States worked out her saliva
ton through revolution, and it was a
pretty slow. trying process
Belgium" suggested Mr.. Saunders.
"Hindsight," exclaimed Mr.. Edison.
"Hindsight, In the light Of two years
it's easy TO say what should have
been done. But at the time not
single paper or a public man even