Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-10-31

rights and honor
In our second armed collision with Great
Britain the party then out of power bitterly de-
nounced it. Governors of some states refused
military assistance, influential and wealthy men
declined to buy Liberty bonds of that time, and
openly discouraged others from doing So Even
secession from the union was advocated and
planned for because of the war
In our war with Mexico the party then out
OF power not only was against the American
cause, but was abusive of the national authori-
ties in their successful efforts to advance the in
terests of the republic by which was won for
liberty and civilization that vast empire now
peopled by millions of the freest, happest and
most prosperous men and women on earth.
The record made by the party then out of
power during the civil war and throughout and
after the Spanish war is still fresh in the minds
of living men.
Thus it comes about that, in all our history,
the republican party, is the only party out of
power that did not oppose, resist and obstruct
the American nation when at war-the only
party out of power that ever approved any
armed conflict we ever had; the only party out
OF power when the battle flag was unfurled, that
ever strengthened the arm of the government.
Not only this, but it is fact known to all
men that, ever since we entered the war. vital
war measures could not have been% put through
SoLS' 700 ny tHC patty Ill power, ana were passed
only by the aggressive action of the republican
senator's and representatives.
Moreover the states and sections of our
common land which have paid, are paving and
Will pay by tar the greater part of the terrific
expenses of the war-pay them without COM
plant and with wholehearted devotion to the
natlon-are republican states and republican
sections.
1t is fact that the parts of Our united coun-
try that have furnished the largest number of
soldiers who are fighting the nations battles are
these same republican states, these same repub-
lican sections
If the proportions of the number of Amer
leans under arms represent the political geo.
graphy of America, it is not impossible that
more republicans are serving with the coors
than members of any other political party
This is record without precedent or paral-
lei. Yet we republicans claim no credit for it.
We have only done our duty. But we are proud
that in the doing of that duty we have raised
new standard of loyalty. Would the same have
happened If we were in power and the demo-
cratic party out of power?
he chief argument and greatest influence in
the reelection of the present administration was
that it had kept us out of war and that the re-
publican party if successful would get us into
war. Had Mr. Hughes been elected and Mr.
Wilson been defeated on that ISSUE would the
democratic party have stood by President
A1uSHS III TIC COHuuCt Oh the war, as StdnCnly
as the republican party has stood by President
Wilson?
The republican party, though out of power,
is not peace party obstructing the government,
but instead war party unfolding the govern
ment. If the democratic party had been de-
feated and were now out of power. would it, like
us, have become war party UNFOLDING the gov
eminent? Doubtless events would have an
+1,o
but as to the republican attitude there
can be no speculation, for the republican stand
is a matter of recorded fact-fact which nobody
denies, fact whcih it would be as foolish as it
would be Infamous for anybody to attempt to
deny.
With republican officials bending every effort
to win the war; with republican fathers and
mothers giving their sons and their substance
tor the nations cause; with republican soldiers
fighting and falling on the field of battle; with
republican leaders the first to demand peace on
y with victory, it would be politically fatal and
morally criminal for the democratic party to
challenge republican fidelity to the flag.
Thus we see that in the support of the gov
eminent while waging war there is no issue be-
tween the parties. Everybody knows that the
election Of republican congressman and repub-
lcan senators means, at the very least, as stanch
and as aggressive support of the government in
conducting hostties as the election of demo-
cratic representatives and senator's possibly
could mean.
1t is said that republican victory will hearten
Germany and dishearten our associates on the
battlefield? The answer is, Maine! Did repub-
lican success in Maine encourage the kaiser?
Did republican triumph in the Pine Tree state
parayze the will and brain of Foch or bring
despair to Italy, Great Britain and France?
Would the central powers be strengthened by
tidings that American elections have been car
ried by the political party led by Theodore
Roosevelt?
We are asked to vote for democratic candi-
dates for the house and senate because they will
| do whatever the administration wants them to
d. not only until peace is declared, but also in
that dark and heavy period that will come upon
| us when the war is won. That time cannot be
| far distant. 1t may come as suddenly as the
breaking of that monstrous storm that for four
years has deluged the world in blood.
Why should voters sign blank checks for Mr.
Wilson to fill in as he likes hereafter2 Yet that
| is what you are directed to do. You are com.
manded to vote for democratic candidates in or
der that they may ratify any decree, no matter
what that hereafter may be issued from the
| White House. Yet if peace arrives within the
next few months, it will find America as I'M
ready to solve the problems and perform the
tasks that will then suddenly confront us, as
America was unprepared to fight when the in
sane and wicked German government forced us
into the conflict. Whose fault is that?