The Harrison times., 1916-06-17
HUGHES ACCEPTS
AND LEAVES BENCH

Washington. Justice Charles Evans
Hughes accepted the Republican nomi,
nation for the presidency and resigned
from the Supreme court OF the United
States. He issued the following state
ment
ITO the President:
Il hereby resign the Office Of associ-
ate justice Of the Supreme court OF the
United States.
u am. sir, respectfully yours,
CHARLES f. HUGHES"
Hughes statement OF the acceptance
of the Republican nomination follows;
Hon. Warren G. Harding. Chairman
Republican National Committee. Chi
cago. Ill.
Mr. Chairman and Delegates: have
not desired the nomination. l have
wished TO remain on the bench, but in
this critical period of our national his
tory / recognize that il is your right TO
summon and my paramount duty TO
respond. You speak at time or ma
tional exigency transcending merely
partisan consideration.
You voice the demand of the dom
inant. thoroughgoing Americanism.
with firm protective upbuildlng policies
essential to our peace and security; and
to that call in this crisis | cannot fail
to answer with the pledge OF all that
is in me to the service of our country.
Therefore l accept the nomination.
Il stand for the firm and unflinching
maintenance OF all the rights Of Amer
lean citizens on land and sea. l nell
ther impugn motives nor underestimate
difficulties.
But il is more regrettably true that
in our foreign relations we have suf-
fered incalculably from the weak and
Vacillating course which has been TAX
en- as regards MeXico-a course lamen-
tably wrong with regard to both our
rights and our duties
I'VE interfered without consistency
and while seeking to dictate when we
were not concerned, we utterly failed
to appreciate and discharge our plain
duty to our citizens.
AT the outset of the administration
the high responsibilities of our diplo-
matte intercourse with foreign nations
were subOrdinated to a conception of
partisan requirements, and we present.
ed to the world humiliating spectacle
of ineptitude.
The latest efforts have not availed
to recover the influence and prestige so
unfortunately sacrificed; and brave
words have been stripped of their force
by indecision.
81 desire to see our diplomacy re-
stored to its best standards, and to
have these advanced; to have no sac
rfices of national interests to partisan
eXpedency; to have the first ability of
here and abroad, in diplomatic inter
course; to maintain firmly our rights
under our laws; insisting steadfastly
upon our rights as neutrals and fully
performing our international oblga-
tions; and by the clear correctness and
justice of our position, and our mani
fest ability and disposition to sustain
them, to dignity our place among the
nations.
81 stand for an Americanism which
knows no ulteriOr purpose for a pa
triotism which is single and complete.
Whether native or naturaliZed, of
whatever race or creed, we have but
one country, and we do not for an in
stant tolerate any division of allie
glance.
Il believe in making prompt provi-
sion to assure absolutely our national
security.
IL believe in preparedness, not only
entirely adequate for our defense with
respect to numbers and equipment in
both army and navy, but with all
thorOughness- to the end that in each
branch of the service there may be the
utmost efficiency under the most com
petent administrative heads.
I'VE are devoted to the ideal Of hon
orable peace. We wish to promote all
wise and practicable measures for the
just settlement OF international dis
putes. In view of our abiding ideals,
there Is no danger Of militarism in this
country.
I'VE have no policy of aggressive
ness; no lust for territory; no zeal for
strife. 1t is in this spirit that we de-
mand adequate provision for national
defense, and we condemn the inexcus-
able neglect that has been shown in
this matter of first national Importance.
We must have the strength which
self-respect demands, the strength Of
an efficient nation ready for every
emergency"