Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-04-27
BLUNDERS OF THE
ADMINISTRATION
Wilson Has Failed In Foreign
and Domestic Policies.
RoOT SHOWS HIS ERRORS.


Points Out Sins of Democratic Com
mission and Onission-"We Have
Lost Influence Because We Have
Been Brave In Words and Irresolute
In Action"
In his address as temporary chair
man of the New York state Republican
convention, delivered In Carnegie Hall,
New York, the Hon Elihu Root said
We are entering upon contest for
the election Of president and the CON
troll of government under conditions
essentially new In the experience OF
our party and of our country The
forms and methods which we are
about to follow are old and familiar,
but the grounds for action, the demand
of great events for decision upon ma
tional conduct, the moral forces urg-
ing to solution of vaguely outlin-
ed questions, the tremendous con-
sequences of wisdom or folly In nation
al policy, all these are new to the great
mass of American voters now living.
Never since 1864 has an election been
fraught with consequences so vital to
national life. All the ordinary consid-
erations which play so great part In
our presidential campaigns are and
ought to be dwarfed into insignifcance.
Democratic Party to the Bar.
For the first time in twenty years we
enter the field as the party of opposi.
ton, and indeed 1t is a much longer
time, for In 1896, in all respects save
the tariff, the real opposition to the
sturdy and patriotic course OF Presi-
dent Cleveland was to be found In the
party that followed Mr.. Bryan 1t Is
our duty as the opposition to bring the
Democratic party to the bar of public
Judgment, TO put 1t upon its defense
30 far as we see just and substantial
grounds to critlcise its conduct and to
ask the voters of the country to decide
whether that party, organized as 1t Is,
represented as 1t has been since 1t
came into power, has shown itself
competent to govern the country as 1t
should be governed and whether Its
spirit, its policies. and its performance
are the best that the American people
can do in the way of popular self gov
eminent.
In the field of domestic affairs some
facts relevant to these questions had
already been ascertained when in Au-
gust, 1914, the great European war
began. During the year and half of
Democratic control of government In
a period Of profound peace there had
been a steady decrease in American
production, in exports and in revenues
and a steady increase In imports and
expenditures. Enterprise had halted
The Democratic tariff had been framed
upon an avowed Reputation Of all pro-
lection, however moderate and reason
able, and because all protection was
repudiated practically all information
from competent witnesses as to the eff
feet new provisions would have upon
business was rejected 1t was with
just NdusN tuul iiN NhACiBAAoC VI bhS
country halted timid and irresolute
because 1t felt and feared the hostility
of government.
Foreign Competition After War.
The great war has not changed the
lesson which we had already learned
when 1t began. 1t has but obscured
further demonstration. 1t has caused
an enormous demand for some things
which the United States is able to pro
duee in large quantities, and in these
lines OF production. while other indus
tries still languish, there have been ex-
tensive employment of labor, great ex-
ports and a great influx of money.
But this is temporary. 1t must soon
cease, and when the factories have
stopped and their laborers are no
longer employed we must deal with a
situation for which wise forethought
should make provision. More impor-
tant still, the war has paralyzed the
peaceful industries of all Europe and
has stopped that competitive foreign
production which in July. 1914, had al
ready entered American markets &c
supersede American products under
the tariff law Of 1918. The war has
thus given to American products al
Immunity from competition far mor
effective than any possible protective
tariff. But that is temporary, anC
when the war IS over, when foreign
production begins again, the American
market compared with impoverished
Europe win be more than ever befor'
the object OF desire and effort, and w
shall become the dumping ground o
the world to the destruction of on
own industries unless that is preyente'
by wise and competent government
How Can Be Defend ourselVes'
But 1t is not from domestic ques
lions that the most difficult problem
of this day arise. The events OF tn
last few years have taught us man
lessons. We have learned that civiliza
zion is but a veneer thinly covering tn
savage nature Of man. How can thi