The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-04-20

make any prOVlSlOn WuhteNeE tOT uc-
Tending les rights in case they should
be trnmpled upon It lost the power
which belief in It's readiness and win
to maintain its rights would have CIV
EN- TO Its diplomatic representations
When our government gave notice to
Germany that II would destroy Amer
lean lives and American ships at its
peril our words, which would have
been potent II sustained by adequate
preparation to make them good and by
the prestige and authority Of the moral
leadership OF great people In a great
cause, were treated with a 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 win the
American people say that the Demo
cratic party Is entitled to be continued
In powerl
The defects Of the present admins
trntion arise from two distinct causes.
The first Il the temperament and train.
ing OF the president. The second IL the
lncapacity OF the Democratic party ns
II Is represented I'm Washington both
In the legislative and in the executive
departments either TO originate wise
policies or 10 follow them when pro-
posed by others or TO administer them
effectively II they are established. The
Democrats I'm congress are never con-
trolled except with club. and gov
ornment with n club Is always spas.
modic and defective.
We must not deceive ourselves by
assuming that the critical period nris-
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 exactlng demands
upon the wisdom. the spirit and the
courage OF our country nre still TO be
made. In this great conflict all forms
OF government are on trial. democracy
with the rest The principles OF ma
tlonnl 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 eau endure.
What Arc People 10 Espeet7
But what are the people 90 expect II
the Republican party Is restored to
powery
This much we con say now;
They may expect. with confidence,
that their government win meet the
economic situation with which we
must deal Immediately upon the close
OF the war. with n policy OF moderate
but adequate protection 10 American
industry.
They mny expect that the govern.
ment viii be administered with the
honesty and efficiency which have
marked Republican administrations IN
the past.
They may expect that the best posi-.
BILE course for the preservation of
peace viii be followed by foreign pol.
Icy which. with courtesy and friendli.
ness 10 all nations. Is frank and fear.
less and honest In It's assertion OF
American rights.
ment win stand for full and adequate
preparation by the American people
for their own defense. The Republican
party loves peace and hates war; II
abhors and Will never submit 10 mill.
tary domination; but II Is composed OF
men who love our country and who
deem that the independence. the liber.
~. the honor and the opportunity OF
the American democracy are not mere
ly 10 be talked about with weak and
habby sentiment. but aro 10 be main
tained and safeguarded by the prac'
teal power OF a virile and patriotic
people. IL IL clearslghted enough TO
see that preparation for defense must
have due relation 10 the possibilities
OF attack; that under the conditions OF
modern warfare much preparation
must be made before possible attack
or all preparation viii be impossible
after the attack. The Republican par
" stands for citizenship made com
petent by training 10 perform the free
mans duty OF defense for his country.
It stands for regular army no larger
than Is necessary. but as large as Is
necessary 10 serve as a first line, a
nucleus. a source OF instruction and OF
administration for the army OF Ameri'
can citizens who may be called upon
10 defend their country. And the Re
publican party stands for the gospel
OF patriotic service 10 our country by
every citizen, according TO his ability
IN peace and IN war II stands for a
rea wa akening cf American patriotism.
II Is not content that while the people
OF other lands are rendering the last
full measure OF devotion In sacrifice
and suffering and dying for their coun-
tries America shall remain alone dull
10 the call OF country and satisfied In
the comforts and pleasures OF pros
perity.
Our Power For Peace
They may expect that assured sNadi-
ness for defense win give power 20
our diplomacy In the maintenance OF