Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-05
REPUBLICAN PARTY IS
CRITICISED
by PRESIDENT WILSON
Carefully Reviews Accomplish
mentS of His Administration
and Declares He Is for
"Big America"

"Big America"
LONG BRANCH, N. j., Sept. Pres
ident Wilson today formally opened his
campaign for reelection with a speech
accepting the Democratic nomination IN
which he characterized the RepuDlican
party as "a practical and moral fall
ure," defended the Mexican and Euro
pean policies, recited the legislatiN =
achievements of his administration ami
declared for big America"
The president left Shadow Lawn at
IL o'clock tonight for Washington.
In his speech President Wilson WAS
unsparinR in his criticism of the Re-
publican party as a party of mastery
inactivity and cunning resourcefulness
in standing pat to resist change, and said
that old leaders still select its candi-
didate. but he did not mention Charles
E. Hughes. the Republican candidate ~
name.
The president spoke from the veran
da OF his summer home 10 crowd
which filed eight thousand chairs ami
overlooked the lawn.
Speaking in the open, his voice could
be heard by only a small part Of the
crowd, but those who did hear him con-
stantly interrupted with applause
Once when he said 81 neither seek the
favor nor fear the displeasure of thai
small alien element amongst us which
puts loyalty to any foreign power be-
fore loyalty to the United States" the
crowd stood and cheered.
The notification ceremonies were
brought to a dramatic close when more
than a score of American flags attach
ed to parachutes were fired into the air
by mortars and unfolded over the presi-
dents head as a band played Amer
lea" Afterward Mr.. Wilson stood more
than an hour on the veranda and shook
hands with several thousand men. wom-
en- and children.
Senator James, of Kentucky, chair
man of the notification committee, in
troduced the president. When he de-
clared that Mr.. Wilson had kept Amer
lea at peace the crowds responded in
stantly and applauded several minutes.
He continued by handing the president
copy of the St. Louis platform.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Reading slow but distinctly from a
printed copy OF his speech and FIRE
quently looking up to emphasize partic
ular points, Mr.. Wilson spoke of the
Democratic platform as a "definits
pledge"
Reviewing
ministration he said "alike in the domes-
tic field and in the wide field of the COM
merce of the world. American business
and life and industry have been set free
to move as they never moved before"
He said: I'VE have provided for ma
tional defense upon a scale never before
seriously proposed upon the responsible
ity of an entire political party"
Concluding his list of measures passed
by congress in the last three years, the
great inconvenience and monetary
president declared: This extraordinary
recital must sound like a platform, list
of sanguine promises. but II is not. 1t
is record Of promises made four years
ago and now actually redeemed in con-
structive legislation"
The president made bid for the pro-
gressive vote by saying that 1--WE have
in four years come very near to carrying
out the platform Of the Progressive
party as we'll as our own, for we are also
progressives."
IAN AMERICAN CITIZEN"
Further along, rebukinG foreign born
Americans who are not loyal to the
United States. he said: 81 am the candi-
date Of a party, but I am above all things
an American citizen
When Mr.. Wilson declared that the
revolution In Mexico is right and that
so long as its leaders represent. how
ever imperfectly, struggle for freedom.
he is ready to serve their ends, the
crowd applauded. Applause also greeted
his declaration that America must do it's
part in laying the foundation for world
peace.
The policy of the United States in
Iealing with violations Of the rights of
Americans as a result of the European
| ha
property rights can be indicated by
claims for damage when the war is over
and no modern nation can decline to ar
bitrate such claims, but the fundamental
rights OF humanity cannot be-
The audience which listened to the
presidents address of acceptance was
made up largely of residents Of New
Jersey coast towns, but included Demo-
cratic leaders from every section of the
country and delegations from New York,
Pennsylvania and other nearby states.
Secretary Lansing, Secretary Houston,
Secretary McAdoo and Postmaster Gen.
eral Burleson represented the cabinet
and virtually all the members OF the no.
tiflcation committee, the Democratic ma
tional committee, the Democratic cam
paign committee and the associate cam
paign committee of Progressives also
was present
Long Branch and West End were dec
Grated in red, white and blue for the oc-
casion and the crowds which attended
the ceremony were in festival mood. Mr..
Wilson himself was seldom without a
smile throughout the day. Prior to HIS
speech he entertained at lunch, but to-
night he remained at Shadow La wn with
members Of his family and his closest
advisers until time came to depart for
Washington.
The president will arrive in Washing
ton early tomorrow and after stay of
three hours will leave for Hodgenville,
KY, TO deliver a Lincoln speech on Mon
day. He will return to Washington Tues
day afternoon.