West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-02-24
A Shameful Admission

speech before the Republican state
convention. II solemnly assures its
readers that The Worlds interpreta-
tion OF Mr.. Roots indictment of the
President wholly misrepresents the
view of those who have criticised MIR.
Wilson's foreign policy"
But what is the view OF those who
have criticised Mr.. Wilson's foreign
policy unless IL is the view that We
have relied upon diplomatic negotia-
ton to maintain rights which should
have been upheld by blood and iron
IL is either that. or IL is nothing. The
Presidents critics either believe that
after the sinking of the Lusitania we
should have construed strict ac-
countability" TO mean war, or their
attacks upon the President are a cheap
imitation of the attacks made by the
Copperhead Democrats upon President
Lincoln.
In one breath they denounce the
President for his paper protests to
Germany in the matter OF submarine
warfare. In another breath they de-
nounce him for not making a paper
protest TO Germany in the matter OF
the invasion OF Belgium. In one para
graph of his speech Mr.. Root RACES be-
cause I'VE have been brave in words
and irresolute in action" In another
paragraph he assures us that while
the invasion of Belgium was n
breach of contract with us" "it was
not necessary that the United States
should go TO war in defense OF the
violated law" What does IL all sig
nry. That Democratic words are fu-
tile, but that synonymous Republican
words are as mighty as armies and
dreadnoughts?
The World has a large measure OF
respect for those Americans who bold
ly assert that Great Britain and
France are fighting for principles that
are inherently our principles. that we
have a Just cause for war against
Germany and that II is the duty OF this
country TO go TO war against Germany
In the name OF democracy and ciyili-
iation. We do rot accept their con-
clusion. but their attitude is brave
and honorable and consistent. We
nave no respect whatever for the Con
pCrhead criticism OF the Presidents
foreign policies which abuses and en-
harnesses him at every turn, but which
is too cowardly TO advocate an appeal
to arms on the issues of the conflict.
There have been two courses open
to the United States government since
August l. 1914. One was to plunge
into the war and employ all our re-
sources to help destroy German mill
tarism. The other was to remain neu-
tral and steadfastly endeavor TO main
tain our rights as neutrals by the reg
ular processes Of diplomacy. The
President has relied upon diplomacy.
or. as Mr.. Root says, upon words"
The alternative to words is deeds. and
deeds in such cases are war. and moth
ing less than war.
Unless the Republican party i'm it's
bitter opposition to the Presidents for
eign policy is willing to appeal TO the
country on this issue, its assaults are
the most shocking and degrading ex-
hibition OF disloyad partisanship that
this country has witnessed I'm more
than fifty years. The World has given
to Mr. Roots speech the only interpre-
tation that is compatible with intel
lectual integrity and high-minded pa
triotism. That Interpretation is re-
pudiated by Mr. Roots friends and by
the Republican press in general.
Their own Interpretation of his speech
is confession that the leaders OF the
Republican party are wantonly play
ing the demagogue and marplot with
the gravest crisis that the republic
has faced since the Civil War. What
shameful admission from a party
whose proudest boast is that It saved
the Union.-New York World