The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-16

ONT WEDNESDAY EVEN
when our goverument faiied 10 TN
The truth about Belgium y LOST tue
Boppprtunfty for leadership q the NOR:
Ia sense % the American people. and
Fit lost the power which Q knowtedges
OF that leadership and g sympathetts
responseS from the moral sense OF the
world would have given to our dlt;
p1omacy. When our goyernment
/ failed to make any provision whatever
for defending IT'S rights In case they
should be tfampIe diupon.i It lost power
which a belief In its readiness and
will TO Smaintain its lights would have
given to its diplomatic representa-.
tons. When our government gave
notice to Germany that It would de-
stroy American lives and American
ships at Its peril. our words, which
would have been potent Il sustained
by adequate preparation TO make them
good, and by the presto e and author:
ity of the moral leadership OF a great
people. in a great cause, were treated
with a contempt which should nave
been foreseen; and when our: govern
ment failed to make those words good,
Its diplomacy was bankrupt.
"Upon the record OF performance
which II have tried, to describe. Will
the American people say that the
Democratic party Is entitled 70 pc
4. continued in power?
1.-The defects of the present admin
istration arise from two distlnct
causes. The first is the temperament
and training of the President. The
second Is the incapacity OF the DEM
ocratic party as 1t Is represented IN
Washington in both the legislative ana
In the executive departments either 70
/ originate wise policies or to follow
| them when proposed by others for to
administer them effectively II they, are
established. The Democrats IN Con-
gress are never controlled except with
a club, and government with cup
i Is always spasmodtc and defectlYe.5
These characteristics Will not
Change; President Wilson cannot
change his nature; the Democratic
party will not change the character
I Of. it's representatives; and there IS
no escape from having the same eau
Z SEES of weakness which have controlled
our government for the last three
years continued in the future except
| the withdrawal, of power from the
Democratic party. We must not de-
/ ceive ourselves by assuming that tho
critical period arising from the great
war has passed. The real dangers and
the real tests Of the strength OF our
institutions lie before US. The pfln'
ciples Of national morality are on
trial. We must play our part in the
/ universal trial whether we Will or no.
| for upon the result depends directly
the question whether our republic can
endure. IL,
/ "But what are the people to expect
! IL the Republican party Is restored TO
power?
1 "Thts much we can say now:
They may expect with confidence,
that their government will meet the
economic situation with which we
must deal Immediately upon the close
Of the war, with policy OF moderate
i but adequate protection to American
\ industry. based upon asceTtained and
established facts, and inspired oy
| sympathy with all honest American
! enterprise and a desire for the pros:
perity and happiness OF Americans OF
every calling and in every state.
"They may expect that the govern
ment will be administered with the
honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations IN
the past in the interest OF no section
or slass, but for the interest OF the
nation as a whole and In every part.
"They may expect that the best pos:
| sible course for the preservation OF
peace will be followed by a foreign
policy which, with courtesy and friend,
illness to all nations, Is frank and rear.
less and honest in its assertion OF
American rights, and leaves no DOUBT
anywhere In the world OF Americas
purpose and courage to protect and
defend her independence, her territory
| and the lives and just rights OF her
citizens under the law Of nations.
"They may expect that their govern
ment will stand for full and adequate
preparation by the American people
/, for their own defense. The Repuo1'
can party loves peace and hates war;
| It abhors and will never submit 70
! military domination but 1t Is COM
posed OF men who love our country
i and who deem that, the independence,
the liberty, the honor and the op2or.
tunity OF the American democracy are
| not merely to be talked about with
| weak and f1abby sentiment, but are 70
be maintained and safeguarded by the
practical power Of a yirile and patri'
! otto people. It is clear sighted enough
10 see that preparation for defense
must have due relation to the posi-
bilities OF attack; that under the con-
liions Of modern warfare much, prep
nration must be made before posi-
( Bile attack, or all preparation wall De