The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-03-17
BLUNOERS OF THE
ADMINISTRATION
wilson Has Failed In Foreign
and Domestic Policies.
R0OT SHOWS HIS ERRORS.

Address as Temporary Chairman OF
Ne~ York Republican Convention
S~a~ts Out Sins of Democratic Com
mission and Omission-"We Have
last Influence Because We Have
Been Brave In Words and Irresolute
9p Action"
In mis- address as temporary chair
nan Of the New York state Republican
asGyentiOn. delivered in Carnegie Hall.
Kew York. the Hon. Elihu Root said:
We are entering upon q contest for
She election of a president and the con-
ero3 Of government under conditions
essentially new In the experience Of
1uT party and Of our country. The
A9ms and methods which we are
ahS1t to follow are old and familiar,
oUt the grounds for action, the demand
Or great events for decision upon ma
eional conduct, the moral forces urg.
Ing 10 solution of vaguely outlin
al questions. tie tremendous CON
seQRences of wisdom or folly in nation.
M policy, all these are new to the great
Rnss Of American voters now living.
Nsvey since 1864 has an election been
nrarght with consequences so vital to
nGfional life. All the ordinary consid-
erations which play so great part in
@Er presidential campaigns are and
anghs to be dwarfed into insignificance.
Democratic Party to the Bar.
For the first time in twenty years we
suter the field as the party of opposi-
tie2- and indeed 1t Is a much longer
t1zne. for In 1896, In all respects save
fkse tariff, the real opposition to the
sturdy and patriotic course of Presi.
deas Cleveland was to be found in the
pRsay that followed Mr.. Bryan. 1t is
our duty as the opposition to bring the
Democratic party to the bar of public
Fragment, to put it upon its defense
10 fnr as we see just and substantial
grounds to critcise it's conduct and to
ssE the voters Of the country to decide
whether that party. organized as it is.
zseresented as 1t has been since 1t
roxpetent to govern the country as It
sADcid be governed and whether It's
ssSxfs, its policies. and its performance
arr the best that the American people
GEE do in the way of popular self gov.
sxHment.
I'm she field Of domestic affairs some
hsetS relevant to these questions had
already been ascertained when in Au.
&nst 1914. the great European war
negan During the year and half Of
Democratic control Of government In
a period Of profound peace there had
heen steady decrease in American
vsednetiOn. in exports and in revenues
md a steady increase In imports and
expenditures. Enterprise had halted.
ahe Democratic tariff had been framed
aBsn an avowed Reputation of all pro-
aeetion~ however moderate and reason
afxf,. and because all protection was
seyadiated practically all information
Srfm competent witnesses as to the eff
Sseh new provisions would have upon
naksness was rejected. 1t was with
rgSt cause that the enterprise Of the
Sscsuse it felt and feared the hostility
n government
Foreign Composition After War.
The great war has not changed the
GetSOn which we had already learned
when II began. 1t has but obscured
fsxshar demonstration. 1t has caused
IN enormous demand for some things
which the United States Is able to pro-
tare in large quantities. and in these
ines OF production. while other indus.
mas still laHguish, there have been ex-
Irzssye employment Of labor, great ex-
Ynts- and a, great influx of money.
pu this is temporary. 1t must soon
cease. and when the factories have
svpped and their laborers are no
2'ngsr employed we must deal with
ztfuation for which wise forethought
scsaldt make provision. More impor-
nsut still, the war has paralyzed the
ps-aeeful industries Of all Europe and
hsrs stopped that competitive foreign
DweSfuction which in July, 1914. had al
Fs&1y entered American markets to
Hugersede American products under
sAP tariff law of 1913. The war has
3aErs given 10 American products an
Aalsnnnity from competition far more
arSfetive than any possible protective
anriH But that Is temporary, and
when the war is over, when foreign
Hseauction begins again. the American
market compared with impoverished
garppe will bs more than ever before
she object Of desire and effort, and we
tEispil become the dumping ground OF
rAss world to the destruction of oui
yws industries unless that is prevente
Sg o wise and competent government.
How Can He Defend Ourselves?
Bot 1t is not from domestic ques-
zS1s that the most difficult problems
NJ this day arise. The events Of the
Enyt few years have taught us many
Esssons. We have learned that civiliza-
tfsn is but veneer thinly covering the
1srage nature of man. How can this
1sis5on. which loves peace and intends
essice. avoid the curse Of militarism
nsi at the same time preserve its in
iarendence. defend its territory, pro
snss the lives and liberty and proper