The Detroit times., 1916-08-02
Best Man the Republicans
Had Makes No Progress
In Speech of Acceptance

The speech of acceptance of Charles +.
Hughes, Republican nominee for presi-
dent of the United States. had nothing in
II that was new and had nothing in ii of
the unexpected.
1t was exactly the speech the pu 'lic
had reason 10 look fer from knowledge of
Charles E. Hughes, person, from appre-
citation of the Charles E. Hughes view
point, and from knowledge of two famous
luncheons since the nomination was made
IN Chicago
1t was full of judicial temperament,
suggesting recent contact with court.
something on the order of the United
States supreme court, and with robe,
such as is worn in that court.
It was replete with suggestion that the
candidate had talked it over, once, at
least, with Theodore Roosevelt, and once,
I q least, with William Howard Taft.
We will attribute the Hughes criticism
of the Wilson Mexican policy to the talk
with Theodore Roosevelt, because it is
very. very doubtful that William Howard
Taft would have suggested assailing a
Mexican policy that has been identical
With the Mexican policy of William How
1xd Taft while he had Mexico on his own
hands.
These parts Of the speech attacking
Wilson certainly sound more Roosevelt
Ike than they do Hughes-like, which
means, undoubtedly, concession made
n return for the Roosevelt concession in
bohah Of what was known at one time as
kis Progressive party, section of which
b not, however, playing the little lamb to
tie Coloneps Mary.
" It Is very plain after reading the
speech from beginning to end, that the
4 Republican hope for this year has its
source in convincing the people that the
Democratic president has been all wrong
a his foreign policy, both in matters
pertaining to Europe and to Mexico.
This is some job the Republicans have
tackled, in view of the fact that this
same policy has KEPT THE COUNTRY
\ OUT OF WAR, and in view of the addi-
hcnal fact that most of the time for the
pest two years peaceable people of the
4 United States have been THANKING
GOD FOR WILSON.
Inasmuch as the crisis which finds
them leaning on Wilson promises to con-
tinue for some months, we can hardly see
these people voting against Wilson at the
\ same time they are thanking God for
him.
The proper way to reach an accurate
estimate of the Hughes speech of ac-
ceptance, is to put it to the test it would
have had to stand four years ago.
Put it to that test and it does not stand
for much, particularly in view of the
4 progressive legislation Wilson has given
the country.
The Republican party, undoubtedly,
nominated the strongest man it had in
4 Chicago.
Il nominated big man, with fine
record as public official and man Of
unassailable character, who would make
!: n excellent president, but Woodrow Will
! pou, they will find this year. is going to be
I some nut TO crack, and some better rea-
I son for displacing him win have to be
toand than the one upon which the
Hughes acceptance dwells, which reason
4 b, merely, that he is Democrat.
Il For many years men have been drift
Il re away from the old idea of voting the
B ticket their fathers did.
s This year we are farther away than
vs ever were, and the gigantic task con-
= lFouting Charles z. Hughes is to con-
$3.50 The psacsable people Of a peace-lov-