Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-18

nuts" II is up to the Phlladephians OF
the present day to prove that they are worthy
successors of the great men who made this
was young.
Philadelphia mothered the nation. The
Declaration of Independence was drafted and
adopted here, and in that momentous work
Phlladelphians and Pennsylvanians had dis
tinguished share. The Constitution was
drafted here, and James Wilson, one-time
professor of Latin in the University of Penn.
sylvania laid down the principles which were
finally accepted by his colleagues In the con.
vention as the foundations of national sover.
eighty. The Constitution owes more to this
Pennsylvania than to any other single man.
There were men of broad minds and pa
triotic purposes in those days. They were
devoted to principles and they knew how to
fight for them with welLreasoned arguments
The nation is indebted to the public spirit OF
Philadelphians and to their craftsmanship
moro than 1t has ever acknowledged.
Not only did we mother the nation itself
in its infancy; Philadelphia was the mother
of the great Industrial. manufacturing and
commercial institutions that have spread be-
yond its borders and shared their riches with
other cities and other States. The history of
steel and coal and oil in America is the his.
Pennsylvania products. The genius developed
here has gone into other States and taught
men there how to handle the products of the
earth so as to make them useful to society.
There was once no political problem before
the solution of which Philadelphans would
hesitate. They sought the greatest good for
the greatest number. They understood the
truth of Jefferson's dictum that the art OF
government consists in the art of being hon.
est With eye single to one great pur-
pose they moved onward with courage and
confidence.
There is now no industrial problem which
Philadelphians cannot solve. They are still
leading the nation in the peculiar Industries
of the State. This is the great manufacturing
city OF the nation in the great manufacturing
State. And we are moving forward hampered
only by our lack of political vision.
What are the great business statesmen of
the city doing today on the eve of one of the
most momentous political campaigns in the
history of the nation?
1t is a time when this city and State should
be taking the lead in formulating the policies
of the country The United States cannot
escape the complications involved in the great
world crisis. Preparation for the inevitable
is imperative If disaster is to be avoided. No
man knows what the industrial conditions Of
Europe will be after the war but we do know
that Europe is not going to look out for the
interests of American manufacturers or of
American workmen. If these men are TO be
protected, we must look after them ourselves
What Philadelphian, what Pennsylvania
has risen above the ruck of factional politics
long enough to say anything about this great
need in a voice loud enough to be heard be-
yond the end OF his cigar?
What Pennsylvania or what PhiIadeI-
phian has been able to fre the popular i'm
aginaton with the necessity of military pre-
paredness for the Unforeseen use of force :
in the future, when the hungry nations want
what we have In abundance and are equipped
with millions of veteran soldiers and tens of
thousands of trained seamen ready to take
what they want?
The political leaders are not preparing to
lead in this great fight, but to traffic in dele.
gates in the Chicago convention. The City
Hall is stepped IN scandal. where men OF low
ethical standards are defending their right
to their own private enterprises regardless Of
a higher obligation to the public good. The
State Capitol is wrapped in subterfuges to
conceal the acceptance of gifts by the Gov
ernor Politicians are berating politicians and
no one is thinking Of the shame of a great
Commonwealth.
Are there not men somewhere IN this city
big enough 10 command the popular conf
denee and brave enough to force the mani
ISins to the rear while they summon the
righteous citizenship to arms to assert them.
seIvesY Philadelphia should lead in the State,
ana the State should lead in the national fight
for the assertion OF red-blooded. broad-minded,
Amerieanism until no trading,
tricky delegate who has squeezed his way
INTO the Chicago convention dare utter a
peep Of dissent when the demand Is made for
the nomination Of a statesman ana for the
adoption Of a platform the reading Of which
'Ain make the heart Of every worthy son Of
America culver with enthusiasm.
Z lhere any one hers who ean DO this or