Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-02
TOO PROUD TO FIGHT?

THE campaign entered on its last stage
L on Saturday when speeches were
made by the President, n former Presi-
dent and the next President.
The Republican attack has gained force
and vigor with the passing weeks. The
Democratic demand that the opposition
devote itself TO telling what II would
do has not diverted the leaders from their
course. The country knows by their
past achievements what the Republicans
will do when they are returned to power.
II knows what the Democracy has done,
and II is not satisfied. The destructive
criticism TO which the course of the Ad-
ministration has been subjected has al.
ready demoralized the big as well as the
little Democrats.
Mr.. Hughes was most happy I'm his
Buffalo speech in his arraignment of the
Administrations parochlal attitude to.
ward the duty Of protecting Americans
and American trade abroad. The Admin
istration began by policy OF scuttle in
China when IL refused TO assure TO the
American bankers interested In the six
Power loan that they could count on the
protection OF the Government. and that
policy has been continued in Mexico and
on the high seas TIE Administration has
acted as though men interested In foreign
investments were traitors TO their coun-
try and deserved no consideration;
whereas. as a matter OF fact, no nation
has ever been able TO build up a great
foreign trade in time OF peace until the
40 haH
laid by its investors, who financed the
enterprises OF the countries with which
they did business. So far has the
Democracy been from appreclating this
fundamental fact that II has made the
diplomatic service. especially In Latin
America, the plaything Of spoils politics
Colonel Roosevelt's Battle Creek speech
was the most severe arraignment OF the
lncompetency OF the Administration that
has yet been made. II convicted the
President of Inconsistencies so glaring
that even his most ardent defenders will
be put to II TO find any excuses for him
His Mexican professions do not agree
with his Peruvian practices. His atti.
tude on preparedness has changed with
each change OF the wind. and his manly,
vigorous language in the submarine notes
has been contradicted by his failure to
translate his words into acts He has
crumpied says Mr.. Roosevelt, In the face
OF every foreign crisis that has con-
fronted him.
Mr.. Wilson, whose speeches are usually
shrewdly phrased and plausible, delivered
himself Of remarks at Long Branch which
reminded one OF Mr. Bryan at his worst.
There was the same appeal to hostility to
vested interests on which Mr.. Bryan
rang the changes In 1896. ana there was
the same sophistical reasoning about the
attitude OF the Republicans toward war
that Mr.. Bryan used In talking OF the
Republican position on sound money. He
said that the alternative 10 peace is war.
and therefore the Republicans who oppose
peace--he did not say his kind of peace
want war, and the certain prospect OF Re
publican success Is that we shall be
drawn into the embroilments OF the Euro.
pean conflict The dilemma. he states a
an imaginary dilemma. There Is peaee
with dishonor. and there Is peace with
honor.
To use the vernacular. the President
is getting ratified. He win have 10 puu
himself together or HIS defenders who are
taking their cue from HIS speeches will
fnd themselves IN hard straits.
In view Of the weakness Of his defense.
can it be that ia thls campaign the Presl.
dent himself is too proud 20 f,eht.g