Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-07

Aafn,t Aafn 40 NOT believe there is a really re-
pctionary Republican bearing credentials to
.hls convention. II there 49, he VIII depart
ss,ev our deliberations, solely and proudly
por,,hlican with heart aglow with the
80 sn,rit of 1915. And the welcome dele
gste who emphasizes his progressivism, is
vnected to do his part in making our party
. reAex of the best Thought and pest intent
:, sincere committal to the uplift and prog
Zee ~ the American people, thereby
strengthening party purpose instead OF
soaqnifying Individual belief, and he, too,
rsiIi hnd new rejoicing in being Republi-
W. W. NJ Marty can endure which is not pro-
assve I know the Republican party Us
Genuinely progressive as well as effective,
eise n would not rivet the expectations of
the American people today on the most lm-
rortant convention held since the party
Formulated a new political decalogue and
-o,,a 10 union and nationality the immortal
Abraham Lincoln
REPREsENTAT1vE GOVERNMENT.
In building the surprising temple OF the
republic, which we have been doing 10 the
astonshment, sometimes the envy some
times the admiration, of the world ana OFT
times inspiring others by our example,
,here ever will be notifications and addt-
tions TO meet the public need and conform
10 popular ideals We do not rear to imi-
tate or fail to originate, but there can be
no dlscord about underlying foundations or
essential walls proven arches or stately
columns Mine is a deep conviction that
the founding fathers were divinely inspired,
and the wisdom of representative popular
government is proven in the SURPRISING
achievement. 49,,
n Is not alone the miracle of accomplish
roent which deepens our reverence; IL is not
clone the fiction that we have builded
the first seemingly dependable. popular
government on the earth and exalted all Its
citizenship, which adds to our faith; but
we are the oldest of existing civilized ma
TONS with one passing exception, continued
under one form Of government, and under
that form we have developed the highest
standard of living in all the Woriu ouEcly
we must be right
Recalling that the mlghtier forward
strides have been taken under halt cen
tury of Republican control, after we LED
in fixing the indissoluble ties of union, the
retrospection, the contemplation and the
anticipation combine to fill the Republican
breast with pride and hope and trust and
faith. and magnify our obligations in this
crucial year of national life.
Much of the discussion of the hour is
hinged upon a world at war We need
not wonder thereat, because the enormity
of the conflict and the influences of its
horrors have set mankind in upheaval The
traditions of civilization have been broken
and international laws have been ignored.
There is a tidal wave of distress and dis
aster. there are violent emotions and mag
nifed fears. There are the extremes of
incalculable sacrifices and measureless new
fortunes-not all American. There are
new wonders and new hlndrances in COM
merce. changed balances of trade, new
marvels in finance and utterly changed eco
nomic conditions. These have attended en-
barrassments in our foreign relations as
difficult as those which the individual citi- |
zen experiences whose every neighbor is
involved in deadly quarrel. Everything Is
abnormal except the depleted condition of
the Federal Treasury, which Is character
istic of Democratic control, and the facility
of the Administration for writing varied
notes without effective notice.
UNARMED AMERICA.
Amid these conditions has stood this un-
armed giant, typifying the American re- |
public, neutral and sane. to whom the |
neutral nations have turned for leadership. |
Our national unselhshness had been proven, |
our devotion to humanity had been estab-
lished, our committal to international |
justice had long been proclaimed The |
world had previously heard the voice of |
American fearlessness. and all the condi- |
tions single us out for leadership among the |
neutral powers, but the Administration Mt |
Washington spoke with more rhetoric than |
resolution, and we came to realize whnt the |
warrlng powers came to know, that |
the official American voice lacked the
volume of determined expression that once |
demanded international heed, and we lacked
the strength Of confidence in de-
tenses.
1t Is too early to estimate the debit and |
credit a, fJunt of the European war with |
CINlllZatIOn. Out OF meaSureleSS cost and |
inestimable herolsm must come a rebirth |
of individual, spirituality, reawakened ma
tional hopes. new liberties and new bap.
tsms in patriotism which must prove some
compensation. But we have seen CIV "a
ton stripped of the pretenses which Ch tn d |
mans savagery, and we have seen ele-
mental man, developed in genius and more
formidable because of that, intoxicated with
power or impassioned in the greed of con-
quest. offending or defending, contradicting
evidence Of hIp n.
vancement. In the envy or jealousy or
rivalry or hatred refined by boasted cvili-
cation, are the barbarites of primitive man,
and the seal of obsolescence is not yet
stamped upon the warriors sword.
FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE.
Perhaps 1t is reminder more than dis
covery, but there has come to us con-
Viction that this great nation, rich in re-
sources and strong in patriotic manhood,
has been negligent concerning its own de-
Tense. We have dwelt in fancied rather
than real security. Pride mngles with re-
gret In this, because it sugE, ats the mind
OF nation so free from intended offense
that there was no cultivated thought of
needed defense. Our righteousness of pnr-
pose is portrayed in trust in unarmed
safety. But there is warning in bleeding
Europe, and there is call today for prudent,
patriotic and ample national defense. There
is no mistaking the sentiment. We are not
thinking of the hysterical we need not be
moved by preparedness which is partisan
IN conception. We need not believe In "A
sstense propaganda inspired by those who
aim to wax fat In the production of arms
and munitions, because there Is none,
deplore the teaching that an anxiety
about our national defense is inspired by
greed We rejoice in free speech and free
press and untrammeled opinion, but pa
irlotism is lily promoted by the imputa-
lion Of false motives, whether aimed at
those who believe in defense or those
who doubt its wisdom. Such a teaching
fends the concord of citizenship. which
may develop worse peril from within than
nom any enemy without.
Though We do not pretend to be ex-
slusve In our devotion. we Republicans
believe, sincerely and soberly in ade-
quate national defense. We have always
believed in an amply navy, as invincble
IN modern might as John Paul Jones
builded in our freedoms earliest fight. We
nave In mind protected commerce the
waters, and seacoast secure in strong
naval defense.
We were building To high rank among