The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-15

main indefinitely impaired. Who longer
denies that government should protect
both person and property. and that each
should contribute to that end? Who
then, would repeal the income tax
amendment which was too broad to
suit the republican candidate for Pres
ident when advising the New York leg
islature? Who now thinks that it would
be better to let the careless or semi
dishonest business man run on until he
has involved himself in the tolls of the
criminal law rather than by advice, a6
monition and reproof from the federal
trade commission keep him in the ways
of fair and honest business dealing? Who
objects that in the exercise of its peace
preparing and war making power, Con-
gress has seen fit to provide for the
erection of powder, armor plate and nj
trate plants rather than to trust this
entire business to private patriotism?
Who would not have the government
than have the country return to the old
slavish customs of the sea? Who balks
at good roads, rural credits, agricultu-
raj education and federal aid for the
betterment in every way of men and
conditions?
All these measures received more or
less support from members of the mi
iSAAtJ WIN Olu liOt nave latin III Lu6
trustees and who would not guard or
walk the squirrel track. These enact
ments have had but one object-tfie
common veal. A referendum upon them
would poll a larger percentage of favor
able republican votes than they received
in the halls of Congress. A changed
administration would not dare to repeal
a single one of them.
What. then. is the ground upon which
no nj hos
a return to power? Surely not upon
anything which it says it would Rave
done or will do. 1t carefully conceals
from the voter any view upon the real
Issue of the campaign while 1t seeas by
1nsfnuation to provoke a prejudice
against the President. The real issue of
this campaign Is that thought which
goes with the father to his work or
business. which engrosses every mother,
wife and sweetheart. which sits down
with them at every fireside and goes to
bed with them in every homeland that
thought is Can the President of the
United States continue to so patiently
manage our international affairs as to
maintain honorable peace?"
And what is the attitude of republic
ans toward this issue? In the halls of
Congress I hear the President daily as
saulted as tyrant such as American
history has not hitherto recorded From
the stump / hear him proclaimed a weak
and Vacillating man. One assaults him
because he did not go to war when Bel
GUM was invaded, and another because
the Lusitania was sunk while a third
condemns him as being pro-ally merely
because he and the German Emperor
agreed upon the rules that govern mem
trail nations in time of war. Racial pride
and church loyalty are given to un1er-
stand that he has not considered them
1t Is limited that he should have done
SO. but his detractors have not the cour
age to say that the republican party will
decide between races or churches or
which race or church 1t will prefer.
DEMANDS ANSWERS
Before we are beguiled by any of this.
we nave right to demand categorical
answers to these questions: Would the
republican party, If 1t had been In now
er, have declared war when Germany
entered Belgium or when the Lusftana
was summarized; or because the allies
have violated the rights of neutral
de?Will the republican party, If it
comes into power. intervene in Mexi-
co! Is there anything in the constitu-
ton which prevents the Congress of the
United States from declaring war with
out seeking the advice of the President?
What views did the republican party
in the Congress of the United States
entertain with reference to Belgium, to
the Lusitania, to the blacklist and to
the Mexican situation? Why, II it was
displeased with the conduct of the Pres
ident of the United States, did 1t not
offer resolutions upon one or more of
these subjects and place itself upon
record? What does the republican can
didate for President think he would
have done or would do?
And here are questions for the poo
pie to answer before they decide how
they will vote. Do you have much faith
in a candidate, who in the most awful
cataclysm of civilization, assaults, for
mere party supremacy, a patient and
patriotic President for acts of omission
and commission and yet is not cour-
ageous enough to say what he would
have done under the circumstances or
to make any promises as to his future
conduct? What do you think of an or
ganization which seeks to foment trou-