Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1916-04-28

AldAO 49, kAVN 0oAVl WnatCNCh " Wv
tending its rights In case they should
be trampled upon It lost the power
which a belief In its readiness aud will
to maintain It's rights would have Civ.
en- to its diplomatic representations.
When Dur government gave notice to
Germany that 1t would destroy Amer
lean lives and American ships at It's
peril u words, which would have
been potent II sustained by adequate
preparation to make them good and by
the prestige and authority Of the moral
leadership of a great people In q great
cause. were treated with a contempt
which should have been foreseen. and
when u government failed to make
those words good its diplomacy was
bankrupt.
Upon the record of performance
which I have tried to describe will the
American people say that the Demo-
cratic party Is entitled to be continued
In power7
The defects Of the present admins
tration arise from two distinct causes.
The first fs the temperament and train
ing Of the president. The second is the
i~ncapacity Of the Democratic party as
It is represented In Washington both
In the legislative and in the executive
departments either to originate wise
policies or to follow them when pro.
posed by others or to administer them
effectively If they are established. The
Democrats In congress are eve con-
trolled except with q club. and gov
crnment with a club Is always spas.
modic and defective.
We must not deceive ourselves by
assuming that the critical period aris-
ing from the great wal has passed.
The real dangers and the real tests of
the strength Of our institutions lie be.
fore us The most exacting demands
upS- he wisdom. the spirit and the
courage OF our country are still to be
made. IN this great conflict all forms
OF government are on trial, democracy
with the rest The principles Of ma
tional morality are on trial. We must
play u part in the universal trial
whether We will or 40. for upon the re-
suit depends directly the question
whether our republic can endure.
What Are People to Expeet7
But what are the people to expect if
the Republican party is restored to
power2
This much we can say now:
They may expect. with confidence.
that their government will meet the
economic situation with which we
must deal Immediately upon the close
Of the wal. with a policy Of moderate
but adequate protection to American
industry.
They may expect that the govern
ment will be administered with the
honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations in
the past
They may expect that the best posi-
BILE course for the preservation of
peace will he followed by a foreign pol
icy which. with courtesy and friendli.
ness to all nations. Is frank and fear
less and honest In Its assertion OF
\merican rights,
They may expect that their govern.
nent will stand for full and adequate
PREPARATION by the American people
or their own defense, The Republican
arty loves peace and hates war: It
hhors and will never submit to mill.
AIRY domination: but It Is composed Of
men who love our country. and WIN
Ieem that the independence. the liber.
~. the honor and the opportunity of
lie American democracy are not mere.
v TO he talked about with weak and
fabby sentiment. but are to be main.
aimed and safeguarded by the prac.
ical power of a virile and patriotic
eopie. 1t is clearsighted enough to
ee that preparation for defense must
ave due relation to the possibilities
II attack: that under the conditions Of
modern warfare much preparation
must he made before u possible attack
or all preparation will be impossible
after the attack The Republican par
ty stands for a citizenship made com.
petent by training to perform +he free.
man's duty Of defense for his country
1t stands for a regular army no larger
than is necessary. but as large as II
necessary to serve as a first line. a
nucleus. a source of instruction and of
administration for the army Of Ameri.
can citizens who may be called upon
to defend their country. And the Re-
publican party stands for the gospel
Of patriotic service to our country by
every citizen. according to his ability
in peaca and In war. 1t stands for a
reaw"' hing Of American patriotism.
It is /. content that while the people
IF other lands are rendering the last
full Measure of devotion In sacrifice
and suffering and dying for their coun.
tries America shall remain alone dull
10 the call OF country and satisfied IN
the comforts and pleasures Of pros.
perity
Our Power For Peace.
They may expect that assured readi.
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