The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-06-23

ance with the demands OF selfish In.
terests or upon information provided
largely, IL not conclusively, by them.
Americanism.
The part that the United States
will play in the new day of interna-
tional relationships which is now upon
us will depend upon our preparation
and our character. The Democratic
party therefore recognizes the asser-
ton and triumphant demonstration of
the indivisibility and coherent strength
OF the nation. AS the supreme issue
OF this day, in which the whole world
faces the crisis of manifold changes,
1t summons all men, of whatever orig
in or creed, who would count them
selves Americans, to Join in making
clear to all the world the unity and
consequent power Of America.
This is the issue of patriotism. To
faint it with craftsmanship would be to
defile 1t. In this day of test, America
must show itself, not a nation of
partisans. but a nation of patriots.
There is gathered here in America the
best Of the blood, the industry and
the genius Of the whole world, the
elements of great race and a magni-
ficent society to be melted into a
mighty and splendid nation.
Whoever, actuated by the purpose
to promote the interest of a foreign
power, In disregard of our own coun-
try's welfare or to injure this gov
eminent in its foreign relations or
cripple it's industries at home, and
whoever, by arousing prejudice of a
radical religious or other nature, ere
ates discord and strife among our
people SO as to obstruct the whole
some process Of unification, is faith
less to the trust which the privileges
of citizenship repose in him and dis
loyal to his country.
We, therefore, condemn as sub
versive of this nations unity and in
tegrity, and as destructive of its well
fare, the activities and designs of
every group or organization, political
or otherwise, that has for its object
the advancement of the interest of a
foreign power, whether such object
is promoted by intimidating the gov
eminent, political party or represen-
tatives Of the people, or which is cal
culated and tends to divide our peo-
pie into antagonistic groups and thus
to destroy that complete agreement
and solidarity of the people and that
unity of sentiment and national pur-
pose so essential to the perpetuity of
the nation and its free institutions.
We condemn all alliances and COM
binations OF individuals in this coun-
try, of whatever nationality or descent,
who agree and conspire together for
the purpose of embarrassing or weak
ening our government or of improper
ly influencing or coercing our public
representatives in dealing or negotiat-
ing with any foreign power. We
charge that such conspiracies among
limited number exist and have been
instigated for the purpose OF advanc-
ing the interests of foreign countries
to the prejudice and detriment of our
country. We condemn any political
party which, in view of the activity of
such conspirators, surrenders its in
tegrity or modifies its policy.
Preparedness.
Along with the proof of our char
acter as nation must go the proof
of our power to play the part that
| legitimately belongs to us. The PEG,
pie of the United States love peace
They respect the rights and cove,
the friendship of. all other nations
They desire neither any additional
territory nor any advantage which
cannot be peacefully gained by their
skill, their industry, or their enter
prise; but they insist upon having
absolute freedom of national life and
policy, and feel that they owe it to
themselves and to the role of spirited
independence which it is their sole
ambition to play that they should rem
der themselves secure against the
hazard of interference from any quar-
ter, and should be able to protect
their rights upon the seas or in any
part of the world. We therefore ia
vor the maintenance of an army fully
adequate to the requirements of order
of safety and of the protection of the
nations rights, the fullest develop
ment of modern methods of seacoast
defense. and the maintenance of ar
adequate reserve of citizens trained tt
arms and prepared to safeguard the
people and territory of the United
States against any danger of hostile
| action which may UNEXPECTEDLY arise,
a.ld a fixed policy for the continuous
development of navy worthy to sup
port the great naval traditions of the
United States and fully equal to the
international tasks which the United
States hopes and expects to takes 6
part in performing. The plans ant
enactments of the present congress:
afford substantial proof Of our pur
pose in this exigent matter.
international Relations.
The Democratic administration ha:
throughout the present war scrupu
lousy and successfully held to the ole
paths of neutrality and of the peace
full pursuit of the legitimate object:
of our national life which statesmen
of all parties and creeds have pre-
scribed for themselves, in America
since the beginning or our history
But the circumstances of the last two
years have revealed necessities of in
ternational action which no former
generation can have foreseen. We
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