Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-02
BAKER SAYS DEMOCRATS
WILL Be kept IN POWER
Secretary of War Makes Address as
Chairman Of Ohio Democratic
4. Convention.
HE PRAISES ADMINISTRATION
Attacks Republican Party rs Aggrc-
CATION of Factions Agreeing Upon
No Set Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Eulogy OF WILSON,

LulOSy OIL WILSON,
COLUMBUS, OHIO. June 1-Sccrctary
OF War Baker, in an address as chair
man of the Ohio Democratic Convention
hero to-day. declared the Republican
party is IAN aggregation OF factions
agreeing upon no set of principles" and
compared IT with the Democratic party,
which. he said. had carried out n wise
and definite program in economic meas
ures, national preparedness and foreign
policy The party will he continued in
Z power to mature its program. he pre-
dicted
Referring briefly to politics in Ohio,
his home State. the secretary expressed
the hope that the present Republican
administration, "chara cterizcd by fee
bleness and uncertainty" would he re-
placed by the Democrats next year. and
that special attention would be given
to relieving the financial stringency of
Ohio cities.
Secretary Baker praised President
Wilson for pressing enactment Of tho
Federal reserve and rural credits Us
TENS, tariff reduction. for upholdinr
American ideals in dealing with Mex
fco and for steering the United States
away from participation in tho Flu
ropean war. He expressed satisfaction
that the preparedness program had
eeen moderate.
Attacking the Republican party,
Secretary Baker said:
TO speak of a man a Republican
to-day identifies him with no cause,
ascribos to him no opinion: and
whether it atfllates him with progress
sives or reactionaries or both cannot
be told until after the national conven-
ton in Chicago next week"
He declared that Senator Harding. of
Ohio, who will preside at the Rcpub-
lican convention, represents one fac
tion which believes the tariff should
be the issue in the coming campaign,
while other Republicans favor an at
I tack on the foreign policy OF the pres
{ ent administration. Opposition camps
divided into those who believe the ad-
ministration has been too bcllicose and
those who fear 1t has been too peace
loving, he said.
Then there is third group" the
secretary continued. headed by the
y Great Detractor. who. shifting from
position to position on the nations
foreign policy, selects ut each time APP
parently whatever vantage point seems
to offer an opportunity for making diff
4 ficult the position of the President and
Congress.
s AGGREGATION OF FACTIONS
WITH NO SET PRINCIPLES
In other words, what used To be the
strong, coherent, logical organization
known as the Republican party Is now
4 so FAR as it's leaders are concerned, an
y aggregation of factions, agreeing on
I no set OF principles, advocating no ma
tional policy; the only common bond
of union being a Willingness to pool
issues to win. And this party is about
to meet In convention at Chicago to
select whatever candidate looks best
at the last moment and whatever prin-
= ciplcs promise to weather the storm
until November.
lin contrast to this. the Democratic
party. having lived through years of
doubt and hesitation. with Il central
philosophy sometimes more a ycarniug
than program, now presents a ma
tnred policy. evolved by a great leader
welcomed by his party associates as
the real expression OF their political
ideals"
Il Secretary Baker declared the Fed
eral reserve act, by steadying business
$ and commerce during the trying period
OF the European WAT. alone would af-
ford record for courage and wisdom
upoH NHlGT Inv pa! st.ot!u rOnIuentIS
appeal to the cour.-y!. 1t has elm
mated the power Of a few fnancters
- TO cause a panic. he stated Tho rural
credits legislation "is the FIRST COM
prehensive recognition by tho nation
OF the needs and rights Of those who
TIL the soil AS tho foundation of our
entire economic structure" said tho
secretary.
Commenting on the Democratic PC
duction OF tariff. MIR Baker said:
ITO the Amusement of tho faithful
the duties have gone down. but the
dinner pail IS not only not empty. bu,
full TO Overlooking The high protec-
tive duty has passed To the hall of
fame where IT is placed with Or
Cook and CaEliostro, Venerable ONLY
because Of the length OF timo mon rem
dered homage for virtues which I, did
not POSSESS"
Mr.. Baker declared that intervention
In Mexico had been urged by some
American owners of Mexican mines.
some American proprietors Of Mexican
concessions. some Americans who
Looked with longing eyes on Mexico
as Naboths Vineyard border dts
orders have been unfortunate. he OK
u planned. but tho only alternative was
& war upon these pcopi. who have
IL "'Heu ~ az " "tEFcSS!"h on us to
r. invade their country. and to spcud
5 years in the occupation of foreign soil.
and in toilsome effort. expensive Of ltfe
s and treasure, 10 impress an alien
Z civilization on these people"
Included in Mr Bakers comment on
the European war, was this
IS ut is better for the people az the
s United States not TO he involved in that
H vast destruction If II can he honoraily
ate avoided: and. second. ii is better 70,
humanity for the United states no, 10
be involved, in order mat, when tho
| end OF the struggle comes, there will
be one great and persuasive power in
friendly relations with ali Of the hol
liCerents, inspired only by hir!. mo
81 tives of humanity and friendship. 20
IS aid as adviser and counselor IN INC
terms Of rcadjustIncnt necessary