The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-10-19
Nothing But Talk

man submarines need no comment in
view Of the experience Germany her
self has had with them in attempted
commercial intercourse with this
country.
When the deliberate murder OF the
passengers Of the Lusitania occurred
the present administration did COM
plain, while in Germany celebrations,
etc. took place in honor Of the awful
crime, and nothing whatever was done
lby our administration except TO talk,
which must have been delightful to
the Germans, for nothing apparently
could be done, il was thought until the
discussions came to a close--as they
have not yet done. The President was
respectfully urged by some, probably
many, citizens to suspend intercourse
with Germany, recall our diplomatic
representatives, and give the German
ambassador here his passports. Moth
ing was done but continued and re-
continued discussions.
The historic facts have alluded to,
though many others could be cited,
are enough to justify and demand a
change Of administration, though Mr..
Olney appears to fear that such a
change would put us in danger of get
ting into the war in defense of our
own country. Does he mean that we
are to be governed in the selection Of
our presidents by the views and de-
mands of any other country?
%. ?. The Latin's Friend
There is another subject in Mr.. o.
ney's article claiming credit for the
administration dealing with the
South American republics in respect
of Mexico, and the united action of
some of those countries in respect of
their foreign affairs. All this may be
very well, but praise for it belongs to
an earlier administration, republican
in name and character. For many
years there has existed in active life
the PAN American Union, eliminating
in the official visit of republican
secretary of state, Mr.. Root, to nearly
if not quite every one of the Central
and South American republics for the
! purpose of enlarging friendly under
standing and friendly intercourse to
the mutual support and benefit of ALL
which came as consequence OF the
united action of three of the strong
est of those republics in attempting to
aid in the restoration of order and
peace in Mexico.
So what the present administration
is proud Of is its having availed itself
of the good work of preceding re-
publican administrations. This 1t
| ought to have done, as it has in many
other instances, but to boast of 1t
would seem to imply that it had little
else to boast of.
This Administration Scared
One that it boasts Of had an almost
exact reverse precedent in the action
of a president Of his own party, Mr.
Cleveland in the strike Of Chicago,
when he gave notice to the strikers
that all the power his administration
could exert would be exerted to main
tain the supremacy and execution of
the law, and that any violation of 1t by
the strikers or their friends would be
resisted, or, if need be, prevented by
force of arms. The strike was quelled
and peace and order prevailed. In the
great strike Of 1916 the striking labor
unions stood with the club of force in
their hands, and the President and his
administration and Congress were
quelled, and made haste to come to
time as in the conduct of prize fight.
Republicans Not to Blame
Mr. 0lney in his article appears to
think that the republican members Of
Congress were to blame in not resort
ing to what is called fillibuster to
save the administration from its own
evil legislation. But what duty did
the republicans owe to an administra-
ton that had been employing itself in
finding ways to satisfy the demands OF
the labor unions without telling them
as the real democratic President
j Cleveland did that the law would be
enforced and that every manner OF
breaking it would meet with Cleve-
Iland-like opposition and punishment?
| cannot agree with Mr.. Olney that III
libustering is even in the present Con-
gress recognized as legitimate
means Of defeating legislation desired
by majority. 1t was quite the re-
verse down to the time left the SEN
ate in 1891. but it would be fine polit-
ical tactics If the democrats pushed
of upon republican shoulders the duty
TO fllibuster against wrong legisla-
tion.
Hold-Up Without Precedent
! think in the whole experience and
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