Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-09-26
Editorial Comment
A Sign Of the Tide
philadelphia Press)

Once again has the Presidential mind
changed about the plans for his cam
paign Now it is announced that he
will make a speaking tour. to let the
people know his stand upon the issues
of the hour and to explain the acts of
his Administration This makes a COM
plete double swing of the circle upon
the question of Mr.. Wilson taking the
stump in his own behalf. At first 1t
was stated that he would make no ser
les of speeches, such as some of his
assistant managers desired him to do.
Then the plan changed, and Presi-
Dental itinerary was arranged for
him. Again the mind Of Mr.. Wilson
changed. and with an impressive -four
ish it was announced that no such act
i've campaigning was needed on the
part Of the President.
Recent events, however, have EVIL
IDENTIFY had their effect. The Maine
returns have dispelled the unfounded
confidence that the White House had
in it's reelection. 1t is a condition
and not theory that now confronts
the Administration. The voters have
been heard from, and on a test Of ma
tional issues. 1t is seen that the writ
ing of letters to favored individuals
and the easy-going process Of receiv-
ing visitors upon the New Jersey lawn
will not suffice. Essays upon the
cause Of humanity" and rhetorical
protestation against any criticism Of
Presidential acts have not proved sat-
isfying to the people. Something
more must be done and promptly.
This decision on the part of Mr.. WI
son is very complete answer to the
Democratic cry that Mr.. Hughes is not
gaining ground by his speeches. If
Democracy believed what 1t is say
ing about the futility of the tour Of the
Republican nominee. there would be no
occasion for tour by the President
If it took stock in its own statements
about the coldness Of the Hughes au-
speech making activity on the part Of
Mr.. Wilson. This new decision is a
very glowing tribute to the effect
which Mr.. Hughes Is making upon the
voters. of the land.
This decision speaks the real truth
about the success Of Mr.. Hughes as q.
campaigner. The country likes what
he says and the way he says it. He is
telling the people in frank fashion what
are the faults in the present manage
ment Of the Government. Democrats
may call this scolding, and seek to
laugh it away, but the people who
hear and read know that 1t is legiti-
mate criticism and well deserved. To
Mr.. Hughes. nismanagement wears no
halo merely because its source Is the
White House. There has never been
any hesitation on the part Of Mr. Will
son to criticize those who differed with
him in policy. He has been lavish in
his denuncation Of the motives Of such
persons. He has been impatient at
every sign Of opposition. no matter
how honest
The first campaign trip Of Mr..
Hughes proved him a campaigner to
reckon with. In a month Of time he
travelled fourteen thousand miles bv
train and by automobile. He visited
twenty-five States. He went from
coast to coast, and from the Canada
line to the Mexican border. He made
nearly one hundred and fifty speeches
Everywhere his audiences were enor-
nous In size and warm in their an
plause. He impressed them sall with
his sincerity and his strength. And
now he is of on another tour. and
before election day comes he win COW