Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-17

in measures unless element overwhelms the other.
President Wilson has been endeavong to transform his
party from longestabshed conservative party into of
ogeSsyeness 1t is not to be forgotten in this connection
that whatever be the faults and weaknesses of William
j. Bryan he is the who took the leadership of the
party in the direction Of adcasm, assaling not only the
courts and the citadel Of the nations gold but also standing
Wilson IS merely continuing IN various directions the policies
which Mr. Bryan started and which the latter charged Theo
dore Roosevelt with pulonng for the Republican party
From the very nature and construction of the Democrat
c party as whole it continues to stand the conservative
the party in the South Now then the democracy
body opposes change We have only to consider the south
present Congress to this southern democratic character
c e%empned IN not few instances President Wilson
response to that appeal the republicans have ignored partisan
considerations to gratifying degree Just sound money
democrats responded to the appeal to patriotism and the
financial integrity Of the nation in 1896.
AS might be expected under these circumstances the
present national campaign is Ringing largely the
atty and the personal interpretation of party policies Of Pres
weeks that have elapsed since Mr. Hughes accepted the
publican nomination in his Carnegie hall speech. believe
the disnerested student of politics will that develop
ments have slightly given Hughes net gain his rival
the declaration of the two candidates suffrage
Mr.. Wilson imporuned by the leaders of the movement
in favor Of the ballot without distinction He hest
ated for time and it is written in the book of fate that He
Mr. Hughes took advantage Of the situation to make
csm of his position by the extreme suragsts that he did
not state his position fully in his Cnege hall acceptance
amendment for suffrage the following day.
The reply of the Hughes to this structure is that
his speech in Carnegie hall and could consistently cut
loose from the republican platform They show that as soon
possible thereafter he stated his personal position which
will rule his course if elected to the presidency
r. President Wilson has underworld to counter -, on Mr.
to the Jane Jefferson club womans organization of Denver
Colo. as follows:
recent platforms favored the extension of suffrage to women
through State action and do how their candidates
If Mr. Wilson had persstenty adhered to the democratic
PLATFORM he might consistently make this structure and thus
sue AS matter of historical record however other
president of the United States dsregarded his party
platform has President Wilson beginning with the Panama
canals for the upbuldng of merchant marine and
including the presidential one:term pledge Mr. Wilson is
Hush hes closely to the e republican 42 platform
show that Mr. Hughes has scored what is called in marks
manshp buls eye hit His courageous championship of
amendment of the nations organic law extend pot
zeal justice as well as the ballot to the fair sex is admitted
of the great majority Of the voters in dozen States
As regards other issues Mr. Wilson is relying on the
points the national bank act the rural credit
ure to the creation OF cabinet position for labor to the
advocacy child labor legislation as among evidences
his progressyeness and his response to national demands
We have repeatedly emphasized the important part
which Nh Wilson's preservation of would play with
many people in this national campaign We have also
during the administration of Mr.. Wilson.
On the other hand it must be admitted that arraign-
ment of Wilson by Hughes has been well founded
A republican president made Germany back down
promptly and preserved peace yet with honor
The violation of the mandates of civil service PROGRESS
by this administration compared with the merits of the
earlier democratic administration of Cleveland must
Impress democratic friends. Mr. Byan's plea of
guilty and boastfuneSs combined nothing of Bryan
himself has served sinke for civil service claims of
the Wilson administration.
The European policies of the Wilson administration
shown TO have been humiang failures. Germany still
Oms to make PREPARATION for the destruction American
life the Lusitana and elsewhere while Britain continues
to mock American rights by selling mails as well as our
ships and blacklstng foreign trade. Brave words"
backed by spneesS policy of assertion of American rights
nave been so multiplied in notes that they have fallen way
below par IN the international marts.
AS regards Mexico Mr. Hughes has summed up the sit
uaton by showing that 1.-The dealings the administration
with Mexico constitute confused chapter of bunders"
This is whole book by itself.
AS to preparedness Mr. Hughes aaigns the Wilson adj
mhstlaon for confusing numbers of troops with eff
cheney and adequate equipment The Vermont troops can
confirm this, other States
Ameicansm undiluted means in the language of Mr.
Hughes not the surrender of American rights under repeated
but futile protest but the vigorous assertion of definite pol
backed by adequate force that will command the
of other nations and recognition of the protection of the
American flag everywhere, of peace,
bned with American Serespect.