Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-05-10

be trampled upon it lost the power
which a 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 it would destroy Amer
lean lives and American ships at it's
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 a contempt
which should have been fOreseen, and
when our government failed to make
those words good it's 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
it IS represented in Washington both
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
ernment with a club is always spas
mOdic and defective.
We must not deceive ourselves by
assuming that the critical period arts
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
the Republican party is restored to
power?
This 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 a policy Of moderate
but adequate protection to American
industry.
They may expect that the govern
ment will 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 will be followed by a foreign pol
icy which, with courtesy and friendn
| ness to all nations, is frank and fear
| less and honest In it's assertion OF
| American rights.
They may expect that their govern
ment will stand for full and adequate
preparation by the American people
for their own defense. The Republican
party loves peace and hates war; i
! abhOrS and Will never submit to mill
| tary domination; but it is composed o.
men who love our country and Wh(
deem that the independence, the iber
ty, the honor and the opportunity O
! the American democracy are not mere
~ to be talked about with weak AM
flabby sentiment, but are to be main
tanned and safeguarded by the prac
tical power Of a yirile and patriot
| people. It is clearsighted enough t
see that preparation for defense mus
have due relation to the pOsSibilitie
of attack; that under the conditions 0
modern warfare much preparation
must be made before a possible attacl
or all preparation Will be impOSS1DI
after the attack. The Republican PAL
ty stands for citizenship made com
petent by training to perform the free
mans duty of defense for his country
It stands for a regular army no large
than is necessary, but as large as
necessary to serve as a first line,
nucleus, source of instruction and o
administration for the army Of Amer
can citizens who may be called upo
to defend their country. And the Re
publican party stands for the gospe
Of patriotic service to our country b
every citizen, according to his abil1t
in peace and in war. It stands for
reawakening CT American patriotism
1t is not content that while the peopl
Of other lands are rendering the las
full measure of devotion in sacrific
and suffering and dying for their cour
tries America shall remain alone du
to the call Of country and satisfied 1
the comforts and pleasures Of pros
perity.
Our Power For Peace.
They may expect that assured read
ness for defense will give power t
our diplomacy in the maintenance Q
peace.
They NAV expect that the power an