Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-08-03
ron MEMBER OF THE esth CONGRESS- or THE U. s
JACKSON n. RALSToN

VlI. luSIlCS speech dCCCpuilS Tic lNCpuDh-
can nomination was no other than very pro-
longed dive under wave Of some eight thous-
and perfectly respectable words. 1t might, most
Justly be classified with those sounding brasses
and tinking symbols, full Of sound and furry,
signifying nothing to the point at issue between
the two great parties. 1t was, OF course, a
finished literary production, but it was absolute
" devoid Of anything approaching the sugges-
ton Of an adequate remedy for alledged exist
ing evils 1t hopelessly lacks punch And
this is as i should be, for Mr. Wilson's admin
isration has, in its brief regeme Of less than four
years, accomplished more than the Republicans
can lay any just claim to in forty.
Democrats point with becoming pride to the
achievements Of the past three years, to the par
eel post the rural credits the currency measure,
to peace prosperity and preparedness, while
the Republicans promise nothing. With rec
ord Of such achievements and the specific plat
form pledges for more constructive legislation,
Mr.. Hughes criticism and vague proposals
are far too inadequate by comparison to warrant
his selection by the voters.
The Republicans claim right to dissatisfac-
ton with the sorry scheme Of things entire, and
yet have no feasible method for remolding them
nearer to the hearts desire Neither MIR.
Wilson nor the Democratic party are carried
away with any undue enthusiasm over the
Mexican situation, but Mr. Wilson, the party
and the American people know that all that is
humanity possible is being done to remedy these
lamentabe conditions and that their solution is
being worked out satisfactorily and without
bloodshed. Mr.. Hughes would teach the
planets in what orbs to run in general, but
specifically he has nothing to offer on the sub
ject He accuses the administration of weak
ness, vacillation and inconsistency. 1t this be
true, it were grevious fault But the Amer
can people Of today. thanks to the enlightened
age in which we i've take such statements with
few grains Of salt and pursue the tenor Of
their ways, without any very grave amount Of
uneasiness, Mr. Hughes will be answered by a
host Of loyal Americans who do not agree with
him on the platform before the election, and
unless we have failed to read the signs Of the
times Alright, by still larger number on GER
tain morning in November.
On August the first the executive group Of
distinguished American Writers, which met
in New York, made public an open letter TO
candidate Hughes. After declaring that we
have small interests in parties but very deep
interestin the welfare Of the country and hope to
assist in the promotion Of honest, educational
discussion in order that fundamental issues may
not be decided in prejudice and ignorance 7
ten very pertinent questions covering the entire
1vro,rJ taLar hxr Nj Eu0hac ~ he cy,s,r,sx, ,,f
the Democratic administration, were PROFOUND
ed, with the suggestion that in no single pub
lie utterance have you offered single construc-
tive suggestion. Generalites are without value.
Blanket criticism is worthless. After suggest
ing in most insistent manner that he specific
ally declare his position on heimporant questions
that confront the American people today, clos
ed with the following:
I'VE agree with you that ii is a 'cnhcaI|
period, by far too critical, indeed, for candi-
dates to talk in terms Of Office seeking rather
that IN the simple. earnest language of definite