The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-24

lGuuluk lis LlBhtS Al NuSC NhCy CAA~oAN
be trampled upon 1t lost the power
which belief In its readiness and will
to maintain its rights would have CIV
en- to its diplomatic representations.
When our government gave notice to
Germany that 1t would destroy Amer
lean lives and American ships at its
peril our words, which would have
been potent If sustained by adequate
preparation to make them good and by
the prestige and authority Of the moral
leadership of a great people in a great
cause, were treated with contempt
which should have been foreseen, and
when our government failed to make
those words good its diplomacy was
bankrupt.
| Upon the record of performance
which have tried to describe will the
American people say that the Demo
cratic party is entitled to be continued
in power?
The defects Of the present admins
tration arise from two distinct causes.
The first is the temperament and train
ing of the president. The second Is the
incapacity of the Democratic party as
| IL 10 TtpItScuIcu ia w pOIA
In the legislative and in the executive
departments either to originate wise
policies or to follow them when pro-
posed by others or to administer them
effectively If they are established. The
Democrats in congress are never con-
trolled except with a club, and gov
crnment with a club is always spas
modic and defective.
We must not deceive ourselves by
assuming that the critical period aris-
ing from the great war has passed.
The real dangers and the real tests of
the strength Of our institutions lie be-
fore us. The most exacting demands
upon the wisdom, the spirit and the
courage Of our country are still to be
made. In this great conflict all forms
Of government are on trial, democracy
with the rest The principles Of ma
tional morality are on trial We must
play our part in the universal trial
whether we will or no, for upon the re-
suit depends directly the question
whether our republic can endure.
What Are People to Expect?
But what are the people to expect If
l the Republican party is restored to
T power?
= This much we can say now:
e They may expect, with confidence,
t that their government will meet the
l economic situation with which we
: must deal Immediately upon the close
t Of the war, with a policy Of moderate
t but adequate protection to American
] industry.
e They may expect that the govern
9 ment will be administered with the
o honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations II
; the past
;, They may expect that the best posi-
II BILE course for the preservation o.
- peace will be followed by q foreign pol
= icy which. with courtesy and friendli
:. ness to all nations, Is frank and fear
;. less and honest in its assertion o
= American rights.
They may expect that their govern
>. ment will stand for full and adequat
preparation by the American peopl
for their own defense. The Republican
Al party loves peace and hates war;
r abhors and will never submit to mill
e. tary domination; but it is composed o
Us men who love our country and VIII
of deem that the independence, the libel
ed ty, the honor and the opportunity o
C. the American democracy are not mere
ed ly to be talked about with weak an
It. flabby sentiment, but are to be mali
I'd tanned and safeguarded by the prat
at teal power of virile and patriot
H. people. 1t is clearsighted enough
Ed see that preparation for defense mus
Sc have due relation to the possibilitie
III of attack; that under the conditions
ne modern warfare much preparatio
y, must be made before possible attac
"a or all preparation will be impossib
after the attack. The Republican pa
u ty stands for citizenship made con
~ petent by training to perform the FIRE
"a mans duty Of defense for his countr
~, It stands for a regular army no larg'
20, than is necessary, but as large as
necessary to serve as a first line,
nm nucleus, sourcs of instruction and
a. administration for the army Of Amel
no can citizens who may be called upt
IA to defend their country. And the X
nv publican party stands for the gosp
Of Of patriotic service to our country
,nd every citizen, according to his abili
IN In peace and In war. 1t stands Tor
for reawakening Of American patriousl
It is not content that while the peor
of other lands are rendering the Ia
~. full measure of devotion In sacrii
~ and suffering and dying for their cou
,ov tries America shall remain alone d.
to the call Of country and satisfied
.ra the comforts and pleasures OF PR
ION perity.
at Our Power For Peace.
ex- They may expect that assured rea
i've ness for defense will give power
en- our diplomacy In the maintenance
to peace.
to They may expect that the power a
INK will of united people to defend tn