The Jasper weekly courier., 1918-07-05

chautauqua season Is here, I want to
suggest that the people of Indiana be
afforded the pleasure of hearing a lee
ture Oh that subject by my friend,
DR.. Ellis, Superintendent of Public
Instruction. L do not know how badly
his trousers were damaged, but l do
know he was taken by the nape of the
neck and the seat of the breeches and
tossed out of his own headquarters
and denied the right to be candidate.
National Issues.
But this remarkable platform, put
forth for the Republicans of Indiana
to climb upon, assures us of the pa
triotism of the Republican party, and
of its intention to support the Ma
tional Administration while the great
war is on. 1t will not be my inten-
tion by anything I here say, to call in
question the patriotism of the Repub-
lican party, but | shall remain free to
ask the fathers and mothers of our
boys "over there, to say from the
facts, just how sincerely, and to what
purpose, certain Republican leaders
are supporting our President in this
war.
The platform to which we have been
making reference tells us that the re-
fusal of the Democrats to prepare for
war in 1914 and 1915, has not les
sened the support of the National ad-
ministration by Republicans. In all
the Republican leaders have to say of
the war, however, they seek to leave
the impression that the Wilson admin
IiStration is open to condemnation foi
not getting into the war sooner.
In this hall the Republican party
adopted a platform in 1916, two year
after they claim the Wilson admins
ltration should have prepared for wal
In that platform this party declared
1--WE demand that the United States
observe an attitude of strict neutral
Iity toward the nations engaged in the
European war. We wish to
continue our friendship with the whole
world" There is nothing very war
like in that. And the Republican Ma
tional Convention of the same year
made in effect the same declaration.
Even the Progressive National
platform of 1916, in dealing with the
European WAR Sdlu.
"Whatever our country can legiti-
lmately do to attain peace For war
stricken Europe, and to aid in the pro-
curement of equal rights, without dis.
elimination because of race or creed
to all men in all lands, should bt
DONE" There is nothing very war
like in that either.
The truth is, all parties honestly be-
llieved, wen their respective conven.
tions were held in 1916, that we would
be able to avoid war with Germany
And all patriots were laboring to this
end. This was the thought and hope
Of the late lamented Charles w. Fair.
banks. / heard leading Republican
say at a bar meeting, held In hi:
honor a few days ago, that, "No mar
sensed the publican conscience more
accurately that he"; and you will re
call that Mr.. Fairbanks, in addressing
meeting of Republican editors a
home in 1916, commended the course
of President Wilson in keeping oul
country out of war And at no tim'
in the campaign of 1916 did the Re
publican candidate for president, in
dicate he was in favor of war. Ill
wanted the country to believe he coulC
tavoid war.
The German Pledge.
| President Wilson believed in 1911
he could avoid war. May a, 1916
Germany pledged the President tha
"Merchant vessels both within am
without the area declared a naval wa
zone, shall not be sunk without warn
ing and without saving human lives
unless the ship attempts to escape, o
offers resistance"
This pledge, you will recall, wa
made after the President had threat
ened to break off diplomatic relation
with Germany on account of the al
tack on the Sussex.
And afterwards, when German
gave notice it would resume subma
lrine warfare February /, 1917, tn
President broke off diplomatic rela
tions with that country as soon as h
got the official text of the note, an
so notified Congress, February
1917.
hepuUuCtn flliDusttE.
! February 26, 1917, he asked Cor
gress To pass an armed neutrality bill
The Democratic House passed it, bt
il was defeated in the Senate by
Republican filibuster, led by LaFo
-lette.
!. Never at any time has our Presider
been neglectful of his duty regardin
; the war, or the probabilities of wa
Before hostilities occurred, he o
ganized the Council of National ID,
fense, and set about to mobilize II
industries Of the nation. More tina
that. In 1914 he asked Congress
| authorize the creation of a shippir
board and he sought to have the buil'
ing of ships inaugurated on a lars
scale. He knew this country cou
not fight war without ships. TT
House acted favorably on his recon
mendation, but because of Repu
licsn filibuster in the Senate, led |
Senator John W. Weeks, the bill h,
to be withdrawn. The President WI
defeated, but the blood of thousan,
of inrocent allied soldiers will MAJ
the men who defeated his plan, t
. they 20 to their graves.
:, Speeches at Republican State Conve