Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-10-30
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE ISSUE or THIs cAMrAIGN


To the Editor of the Telegraph:
Samuel Blythe in recent article IN
one of the leading weekly magazines
says that the issue of this campaign,
so far as the average voter is concern
ed, Is not the Mexican question, the
diplomatic relations with the helliger-
ent nations. the domestic affairs with
Its eight-hour law. etc, but the group
ing of all of these and the many other
issues under the one heading. to wit:
the problems incident to the manage
n1ent of this nation as President and
which any one holding the high ONCE
Of President should be expected to be
called upon to solve and to solve COR
rectly to tho everlasting benefit of this
nation as a nation. That IL the voter
is thoroughly convinced that the af-
fairs of the nation have been managed
properly and as we'll as they could
possibly be managed that voter will
cast his vote In favor of retaining the
present executive head of the great
corporation of which he is an import
ant part, because to change that head
merely for the sake OF permitting an
other TO take his place would be poor
business. but IL he Is convinced that the
management is not proper and that 1t
could and should be conducted differ
emily he will go to the polls and vote
for a change.
This being the issue, and, after all Is
said and done. it is not the real issue
of this campaign, let us briefly con-
slider whether or not the present man
agement has been to the everlasting
benefit of this nation. To withhold
criticism as unpatriotic Is to shirk
duty. OF course, criticism must be just.
1t must consider the Administration as
a whole. AS an individual Woodrow
Wilson may or may not be responsible
for his friends. but as President he Is
responsible for the official acts of every
member of his cabinet and of every
man whom he places In q position of
power. The present Administration
strongest supporters admit that Its
policy toward Mexico has not been q
success. Certainly II can be Justly zaid
that no definite or consistent policy has
been followed. If the Administration
has taken a positive and affirmative
stand we would have had the confidence
of our friends and the respect of the
world. consistent policy carried
out with firmness. sincerity and integ-
rity would have led to a real solution
of a difficult and delicate situation
Wilson's policy in Mexico and in his
diplomatic relations with the great
powers at war has spread the belief
throughout the world that American
protection does not follow American
citizens or their property beyond our
borders. 1t has placed us in position
where our advice will neither be sought
nor wanted in the councils of the ma
tions. The cost of this loss of prestige
must be reckoned at every point where
our national existence comes in con-
tact with that of other peoples of the
world. without international respect
we can not trade. travel or live except
unto ourselves. OF tho Adamson eight
hour law permit me to quote Colonel
Harvey, tho discoverer of Woodrow
Wilson: "Since Fort Sumter was fired
upon there has been no such assault
upon the right of American people to
rule themselves as that OF the four