Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-10
Sincerity and Patriotism.

Those Republican editors who assign
Interior political motives to everything
President Wilson says or does, are plac-
ing themselves under the suspicion OF
being more anxious for the President
discontinue than they are interested IN
the welfare OF the ACKNOWLEDGMENT AL
gus.
The two are co-existent, neignpor'
Those Republican editors who are CIV
ing the facts to the people, however
are doing so purely for the purpose CT
promoting the welfare Of the nation;
and the first victim is. necessarily, the
un-American gentleman who is con-
victed by the Inconsistencies of his
record and his claims.
Many editors among the Republicans
are admirers Of the natural ability and
scholarly attributes Of Woodrow Will
son. but they do not care to allow
such an opportunity to fool the people
into mistaking him for possessor of
all the virtues. Today, to win a class,
he is one thing; and tomorrow, to win
man be absolutely sincere and earnest
in convictions which change SO sudden
Iy? Can such pleader be cerdited
with anything higher than playing the
political game for all there is in it?
Is it not, then, duty of editors 10y
al to 1.-The welfare of the nation to
remind their readers of these things
that make for the discontinue of
the President" Is it not right that
the people be reminded Of contradic-
tons in the career of President Wilson
that the general public has forgotten
and. forgetting, is deceived?
The sincere and patriotic desire of
Republicans and Progressives is to rid
the country OF what George w. Per-
liins calls the incubus at Washing
ton"
This desire is not based upon crav-
ing for power or for the loaves and
fishes of office. 1t is a genuine belief,
we'll fortified with specific proof, that
the present Democratic administration
has been harmful to the nations horror
and prestige. disastrous to the nations
real prosperity, and that it's continu-
ance will ensure humiliation for the
flag such as Old Glory has never ex-
perienced and such as no one ever
thought to have it experience. This is
the prevailing opinion of Republicans
and Proeressives. 1t is a real "Ameri-
ca first" movement which has been
started in the proposed union Of Re-
publicans and Progressives upon a
single candidate to oppose Wilson.
That the movement will be success
full cannot be doubted In fact, it is
successful already. The disposition
among men in both parties who have
risen to leadership is to meet the prob
lem in a straightforward, man-fash-
ion spirit-not of compromise. nor of
arrangement, but of union for the
benefit OF the nation for which the men
OF both parties. Republican and Pro-
Rressive, have done so much.
So far as the Republican convention
is concerned, these recent develop
ments do not materially alter the sit
uation. That convention will be an
open and honorable contest for great
prize-the Presidency of the United
States, no less. Any man, contending
in such an arena, who is competent to
bear away the victory will be entirely
worthy Of the Progressive party's en-
dorsement: and he will receive it,
Then the anti-Democratic majority in
this country will again stand together
and the result will be a predetermined
victory Have not the people a right
to it: II these complained-of Republic
can editors confine themselves to facts
are they not in the service Of the
welfare Of the nation?"