American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-06-22
CHARLES EVANS HUGHES, THE
NEXT PRESIDENT.

If Charles Evans Hughes had stop
ped with the first paragraph of his let
Ter accepting the Republican nomina-
tion for president, he would have said
enough to clinch the conviction that
the convention had selected the right
man to meet the emergency that con-
fronts the country, and one that will
command the loyal support of every
Republican regardless of his personal
choice or former party affiliation.
Within an hour from the time he re-
ceived the nomination by practically
unanimous vote, his letter of accept
ance was read to the convention. That
he was in thorough sympathy with the
spirit of the convention and that of the
people it represented is seen in the
opening paragraph:
you speak at a time of national
exigency, transcending merely parti-
san consideration. You voice the de-
mand for a dominant thorough-going
= Americanism, with firm, protective
upbuilding policies essential to our
peace and security; and TO that call,
in this crisis, / can not fail to answer
with pledge of all that is in me to
the service~of the country"
This inspiring declaration is follow
ed by brief references to the more i'm
portant questions that will enter into
the campaign and vigorous con-
demnation of the foreign policy of the
present administration, but without
"impugning motives or underestimate
ing difficulties" From beginning to
end his letter of acceptance was in
,, keeping with his opening declaration
strong, clear and unequivocal.
The nomination of Justice Hughes
was one of those cases, too rare in the
political history of our country, in
which the office sought the man. Dur
ing the many months in which candi-
a.. dates have been discussed, and when
his name was more frequently men-
toned than any other, he pursued the
duties of his exalted position and as
far as he could with propriety discour-
aged all efforts in his behalf. His
views on the great questions that con-
cerned the people in the selection of a
candidate were eagerly sought, but he
never for once lost sight of the SOL
], emn responsibility of his position
g While other aspirants were expound-
ing their views for the purpose OF
swaying public sentiment in their IA
vor. Justice Hughes pursued "the even
tenor of his way" without one word
or act to indicate that he knew that
he was being considered as a possible
nominee. AS the convention drew
near and after it assembled it was
urged by the opposition that he should
define his position on "Americanism, u
on preparedness" and that he should
at least say whether or not he would
accept the nomination. But he said
not a word, and in violation of all
precedents, the convention nominated
him by an overwhelming vote His
first act when notified of his nomina-
ton was to dispatch his resignation
from the supreme bench to the presi-
dent, and then the seal upon his lips
was broken.
He spoke and his words electrified
the convention and the nation. We
know now that the man and the emer-
gency met. Every line of mis- letter
breathes Of Americanism and the
highest sense of public duty. He is
the man above all others to unite the
discordant elements of the Republican
party, and his election is as certain
as that daylight foTlows dawn. In
fact the nomination of Justice Hughes
is the dawn Of better days for the
American people, the restoration oi
our country to a more honorable po-
sition among nations and a revival
OF confidence and respect at home for
our government.