Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-16
THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
John Frazier Compares the Destructive Action of the
Gratis With the Constructive Action" of the
observation-disclosures and Ireland

To the Editor Of the Evening Ledger:
Sir--The most skillful professor I'm the art
| OF letter writing and OF preparedness" in
speechrnaking I'm the United States is DR..
woodrow Wilson In his letter accepting
the Democratic nomination for the presi-
dency-arranged with an unusual degree
| OF skill-Doctor Wilson caused to be printed
| In that letter fifteen or more sentences in
bold-faced type in one of which he says:
There is no means of judging the
future, except by assessing the past.
Constructive action must be weighed
against destructive comment and action.
The Democrats either have or have
not understood the varied interests of
the country. The test is contained In
the record.
In his speech at Plattsburg, N. Y. Sep
tember ~. Hon. Charles E. Hughes said:
1t is time for assessment, for
appraisal and candid statement No
one in this country can object TO full
and fair discussion. That is the very
spirit of our institutions. What we
need is fairness and the truth, and
then let the electorate decide. That is
American.
For the purpose of judging the future,
| submit the obstructive actions" of the
Democratic party and these Constructive
actions" Of the past by the Republican
party.
1856 1t presented evidence Of great
strength. and in order TO defeat It the DEM
ooratio party nominated James Buchanan.
of Pennsylvania. for President, believing
that 1t would carry the States Of Connecti-
cut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Indiana and some other northern states
and John Q. Brecltinridge. of Kentucky, for
vice president, in order TO solidify the South
ern States for the Democratic party, and
the scheme succeeded
The Republican Party nominated Abra-
ham Lincoln for President In 1850 and
its convention promulgated a platform Of
Constructive action" and principles such as
no party had formulated since the organi-
cation Of the American Government. Be-
tween the time OF the election OF Mr.. Lin
coin in November, 1850. and his Inaugural
ton on March 4, 1851, eleven States for
mally seeded from the Union, without
word of protest or hand OF a sword
raised by the Administration of President
Buchanan 10 stay the obstructive action"
Of those States.
President Lincoln and the Republican
party held that under the Constitution and
the laws no State could lawfully secede
from the Union. and upon taking the oath
of ofice as President he began the 'con-
structive action" necessary TO restore those
eleven seeded States to their proper place
In the Union.
But in order TO save the Union from the
obstructive action" Of those seeded States
10 destroy the Union by war President Lin
ooln was forced to call more than 2,000, 900
volunteers to the defense Of the National
Government. and In answer thereto the loyal
sons OF the North. the South. the East and
the West, breaking asunder all party ties
and casting aside the pursuits and pleas
ures OF civil life. thronged the field, re-
solved that the Union Ghould be preserved
the Constitution maintained. and the su-
premacy OF the Government preserved. 20
do which 100000 Union soldiers laid down
their lives, 100000 were made cripples for
life and more than 100000 devoted moth
10 mourn for the loved ones who never re-
turned. and the cost In money was more
than SIS. .0O0. .00o. 900.
And from the II States that seeded
from the Union Ia 1850 there Will be elected
who win cast their votes for Woodrow VIII