The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-10-29
1898 AND 1918

Republicans who put the nations
interests above party interests are
not thinking Of the political capital
which hereafter may be made out of
the war. With the Democrats VIII.
believe that we are in the war to
keep America free. to put an end to
the wOrld.cOnquering ambitions of
autOcracy and to prevent civilization
as II has been established by the free
peoples Of the earth from being sup.
planted by the kultur of the Hun, pa.
triotic Republicans want to see the
war brought to an end as soon as the
purposes for which we are fighting
have been accomplished. They are In
hearty accord with all the other loyal
Americans who want to prevent an
unnecessary sacrifice of men, who
want peace. when II comes, to be con
elusive and honorable, who want the
menace Of Prussian militarism to be
cAligated completely and forever.
These. and not party profits or ad-
vantage constitute the desires OF all
tOe per cent Americans.
For the benefit of those Republi
cans who may be disposed to believe
that political change may be
brought about at this time without
embarrassing the administration and
without increasing the difficulties
which will have to be met in bringing
the war to an early and successful
conclusion, we call attention to q
statement which was made by Sen.
ator James B. Foraker when the Re
publican campaign of 1893 was open
ed at Wooster. Ohio.
This war" he said as reported by
the Cincinnati TimesStar, October s,
le9S. came while a Republican ad.
ministration was in power and must
now be settled by that administra-
tiOn. For its origin, It's character
and its settlement we are therefore
accountable. 1 do not believe any fai,
minded Democrat would question the
fitness Of the Republican party for
the discharge of this duty. but how.
ever 1t might be otherwise. the work
is already in the hands of President
Mckinley. What he wants Is the
support of Republican house of
representatives. II is the duty of
Ohio to lend him this help. II we d,
our duty and come up to the full
measure Of our opportunities there is
ahead of us Il career of usefulness, of
influence and of honor greater and
grander than any language can de-
pict."
! IL that was good doctrine in 1898,
is il fallacious now. This war came
while q Democratic administration
was in power. Does any fair-minded
Republican question the fitness of
the present administration for the
discharge of its duty? The work is
already In the hands of President
Wilson. What he wants is the sup
port OF a Democratic house of repre-
sentatiyes. II Is the duty of Ohio to
lend him this help. SO.called Repub-
lican leaders" who are attempting
to convince the public that a divided
government would make for speed In
protecting the interests of the nation
at the peace council are animated
solely by personal ambition. Tho
frenzy of Republican organs which
attaNpt To belittle the Importance of
assuring the support for which the
administration asks Is due to the fear
That the war may be ended and that
there may be triumphant achieve.
ment while our present government
Is still in power of the purposes for
which we entered the conflict be.
tween democracy and autocracy. 1t
is incOnceivable that the intelligent,
patriotic Republicans of this country
will be misled by the sophistry and
hypOcracy of men who are bent upon
satisfying their personal ambitions or
by the incoberent ebullitions of dis.
credited political organs.
The doctrine advanced by Sena
tor Foraker, at the time OF the Span.
ish.American war In 1898 is as good
now as 1t was then. II has not beell
changed because this war came while
"a Democratic administration was In
power, whereas Republican admin
istration was in power when war was
declared against Spain.