The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-09-06

| llIle ol war; cannot De TehCneu ny Ap-
peals to partisanship,
No one conversant with the history
OF the Civil War will dispute the state
ment that the persistent opposition to
the administration, especially during
the time these two campaigns were
carried on, encouraged the foe, pro-
longed the war, and cost many thou
sands OF lives which could not be re-
stored and many millions OF bonds
which we've ultimately redeemed at
double the price for which they had
been sold. For the benefit Of thought.
less, but patriotic, men who may con-
template opposition to the present ad-
ministration, 1t might be pertinent to
ask whether any living man who
voted against Abraham Lincoln in
1864 is now boasting of It; or whether
any man, whose father or grandfather
so voted, is cherishing that memory
as a source of pride in his ancestry?
The verdict OF history will be as re-
morseless with the anti-administra,
ton electors OF 1918 as 1t is with
those of 1864.
The same sort Of disastrous opposi-
tion to the administration existed in
the Revolutionary War and produced
the same result From 177S until the
end OF the war Washington was the
head and front OF the patriot cause
and, without him, there would have
been no government at all. Neverthe-
less constant intrigues and cabals
were carried on against him by people
who considered themselves to be
loyal. This was especially the case
in the Continental Congress which,
during the dark days at Valley Forge,
and long after, was one Of the most
despicable bodies that ever posed as a
gathering of loyal men. The injury
done to the country by their opposi-
tion to Washington almost ruined us
in France whose help at that time, as
the sequel showed, was our sole pos
sibility of success Even Lafayette,
our most ardent friend and influential
ally, was apprehensive and discour.
aged.
Here, again, history was repeating
itself-the opposition to the war ad-
ministration prolonged the horrors of
the conflict and came perilously near
wrecking the cause.
II such has twice been the deadly
effect of the attempt, in time Of war,
to discriminate between the support
Of the cause and the support of the
administration charged with its main,
tenance, would not the same result
follow now? This question is asked
because, in the August number of the |
Forum, under the title Of "The Repub |
lican Position" Mr. Will H. Hays,
Chairman of the National Republican
Committee, seeks to array his party
against the administration. Before |
quoting from this essay of Mr.. Hays
It should be distinctly understood |
that the great mass of Republican |
electors are exonerated from sym
pathy with it. They are, in every |
way, in the field and at home, doini
I'll that is possible for loyal and pa
triotic men to do; and they are moi
likely to be dragooned into a question:
lble attitude toward their country |
Neither is the Republican party here
criticised for maintaining its organiza
ton. At present it is out of the run
Internationally at least-for the rea
son only that the other party hap
pened to be in power when the present
crisis arose. Later it should, and
doubtless will, resume its former mill
tant position unless Mr.. Hays suo
ceeds in his foolish efforts to align II
against war administration. Even Q
superficial acquaintance with the his
lory Of his country would have taught
him that the Federal Party opposed a
war administration in 1872 and died;
that the Whig Party was killed by its
opposition to the administration which
carried on the Mexican War; and that
the Democratic Party was banished
FOR twenty-four years because it op,
posed the administration in the Civil
War
The attack Of Mr.. Hays upon the ad-
Is, to some extent, in
direct and insidious. He says, I'VE
propose to bring the government back
to the limitations and principles of
the constitution in time Of peace" By
innuendo he thus accuses the present
administration of conducting a de-
spotic and unconstitutional govern
ment which ought to be overthrown.
No reply is needed to such an absurd
accusation. He also states that, 1--WE
will stand ever vigilant against any
violation OF American rights, interests
and honor that would come with an
peace" leaving the infer
ence that the present administration
will not do so. This is said in the
face of the whole world which implic-
ity trusts President Wilson's declara-
ton that there shall never be an in
conclusive peace, or an abandonment
Of American rights, interests and
honor" Mr.. Hays further says that
though this country is today riding
the high tide Of gigantic war prepa-
ration, it Is nevertheless under its pres
ent government watchfully waiting"
tuO' ILLS oF0lHHhohI ID WdLCulully |
1t is watchfully waiting for
The daily bulletins of victories won by
more than fifteen hundred thousand
soldiers which 1t has sent to Europe:
and is watchfully waiting the rapid
of fifteen hundred thus
sand more now in training in this
The grossest slur emanating
rom Mr.. Hays is that "The party in
power says politics is adjourned and
hen proceeds to practice the most
powerful partisan politics ever at
empted by any political party in any