The Mankato free press., 1917-02-16
PATRIOTIC DEVOTION TO THIS
GREAT COUNTRY
Spirit of Americanism PredomInates in
Organization; Proposes to Support
Democratic Chief Magistrate in His
Efforts to Uphold the Honor and
Dignity of United States; Overlook
All Previous Mistakes
Tspec-aI TO rr-- x----.s
from Saturdays Daily.

Washington, February 10.-The
Republican Publicity association,
through it's president, Hon. Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., today gave out the fol-
lowing statement at it's Washington
headquarters.
"The president need have no fear
of the whole-hearted support of the
nation in whatever steps he may see
fit to take to uphold American rights
and American honor. There will be
no partisan division in the co-opera-
tion which he will receive
IA republican senator, Poindexter
of Washington, was the first to move
in the direction of our greatest-naval
necessity by demanding the immedi-
ate construction of a hundred addi-
tional submarines. A republican gov
ernOr, Whitman of New York, was
the first to provide for the mobiliza-
ton of state troops. Republican leg
islators and republican executives will
all display a like spirit Of ready and
generous action in response to the
national need.
Two Years of Warning.
Republicans will not forget, of
course that we had tow and a half
years of warning of what has now
happened, that a year has elapsed
since. the president toured the west
and told the country that sparks were
falling everywhere-and that we are
in no better condition to meet a hos
tile emergency now than we were in
August, 1914. Republicans will look
with some misgivings upon warfare
in which Josephus Daniels will re-
main at the head of the navy depart
ment and Newton Baker at the head
of the war department. And, in a
war in which the navy must take the
first steps and in which the navy may
make the only contribution which
this country can make in real action,
republicans will not regard promo
tions like that of DR.. Cary Grayson as
affording the best guarantee that
merit and experience shall lead us
in action.
Will not Withhold Cooperation
'But neither these nor any other
incidents will be made an excuse for
Withholding republican cooperation
in the face of foreign foe. Repub-
licans will leave to Mr.. Bryan and his
followers the task of agitating for ma
ton wide town meeting in advance
of military action and the task of OBJ
jecting to necessary appropriations
for National defence. Republicans are
for the nation and for the nations
honor at time like this. For the mo-
ment, whatever Mr.. Wilson can show
to be the best for the nations interest
will be accepted as such, without cavil
by republicans.
Meantime the affairs of the coun-
try must be carried on. Domestic
policies must be developed along the
line of securing the money for the
defensive measures which seem so
securely necessary. If the president
and his party are to continue the
fatuous and unjust course of taxa
tion which they have thus far follow
ed and if they are to maintain the
principles of fiscal and other legisla-
ton which the democratic leaders in
congress have lately laid down, they
must not expect republicans to re-
main silent, no matter how earnestly
republicans may be laboring or fight
ing for the nations honor"