Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-30
WILSON'S APPEAL
Wants Nations Voice
Heard, Not Abject Sub.
mission to Autocracy
COP. FOR FULL VICTORY
Will Save President From
Lesser Dignity of Mere
Party Leader
COP. FOR FULL VICTORY

New YORK, cC,. Su
II am anxious that the unity Of the
aaxion should he preserved by hearing
the voice of all parties after the meth
I 01s Of a republic and not by ab1ec'
submission to the example of autocracS'
Z aeclared Charles Evans Hughes. former
0upreme Court Justice, addressing the
Union League Club Republican rally last
Might.
Mr.. Hughes, who is president Of the
eiub. began his calm address with a
eignifcant statement that he had com
pleted the work for the Government
which had engrossed him for some time.
The distinguished jurist then spoke
f0rcefully of the order of the President
that Republicans shall not have voice
I IN the national business. and In an even.
possessed effort called for rebuke for
1 This presidential assumption al the polls.
should Express Opinion
Mr. Hughes said in part:
We meet once more in this historic
and patriotic club in the exercise Of the
right which no one can deny us Of eN-
pressing our political preferences Per-
NIT me a personal word at the outset
EOf several months I have been absent
from you engrossed in "A difficult but
necessary task, which has been per
formed with the single thought of ascer-
tanning and presenting the exact truth
with respect TO one of the most mn
portant fields Of our war activity. That
task. am glad to say. has been finished,
and it is with the keenest pleasure that
I return to the genial hospitality of
this club and take up again my official
duties. as your president.
Il have said that we are here in the
exercise of our right to express our po-
liticaI preferences. And why should we
mot express them? Have we no inter-
ests at stake. no loved ones in the ranks.
no hearts responding to the nations
call, no sacrifices to endure" Is our
contribution in lives. in devotion, in for
tune. in readiness to serve. so slight that
wc must forgo the privilege of effective
representation in the ration's councils'
Regrets Raising Of Issue
II deeply regre. that this issue has
been raised. ] deplore it as a citizen.
anxious that in this hour Of strife we
should have the utmost unity in national
endcavor. but solicitous that this unity
should be preserved by taking counsel
together and hearing the voice of all
parties after the methods of republic
aud not by abject submission according
to the example of autocracy. | am glad
to be told that no political party is
paramcunt in patriotism OF course
not! Read the answer in our Liberty
Ilnane, our service in arms, in the
trenches and on the sea and. for that
matter. in the votes in Congress. Let
the record speak.
4 Have not Republicans in every per
ynitted field Of effort fought and toled ?
Have We not spent our days and nights
In anxious labor? Have we not given
without stint or limit, with no thought
~ party or of partisan advantage. that
this war might be won? Yes. we are
patriotic, that is not questioned-but
must we patriotically toll and give with
out seeking voice in the national as
oembly, yielding our representation to
Democrats, not as more worthy or more
Byal, not as more sacrificing or intelli-
rent. but to Democrats as SUCH simply
Because they are Democrats. in order
that In this most critical period there
may be exhibited. not the unity of the
nation achieved through the action of
both parties, their members vyinK with
each other in patriotic endeavor and re-
solving their differences through fair
discussion in the national legislative
body. but the unity Of mere party
supremacy
Wilson Statement Unfortunate
The issue is transcendent one, for
Il speaks to the conscience and funda-
mental purpose Of very voter. ] want
to see complete victory in this war. to
zee tyrannical and arbitrary military
power crushed to see the dawn of the
new era of the peace of justice. And
did ! think that the Republican party
would not, through its representatives,
aid In the efficient conduct of this war
and In the settlement of a righteous
peace. I should leave the party 1t is
because l believe that the Republican
party Is an important and necessary
agency in the winning of this war and
b establishing a just peace that as a
Republican, but not In a morrow partisan
spirit. join with you in the earnest
oupport of the Republican candidate.
1t Is said that the return of a Re-
publican majority to either house of
Congress would be interpreted as "A re-
pudiation of the leadership of the Pres-
Dent. 1 think that from a national
standpoint the suggestion is most un-
9ortunate. II the President stood before
the nations OF the world only as n party
nader his influence would be slight in
deed. His just influence is based on the
egtent to which he faithfully represents
the sentiment Of this nation regardless
~ party. He will not be the effective
GDokesman Of the nation, save as through
<Gonsultation and deiiberation with those
Fepresenting the important thought OF
tthe nation he can be said to express a
smFongly preponderating IL not unani-
u.ous sentiment. But how is the senti-
sQaeat Of the country to hnd expression
~ re do not send TO the nations as,
<nomhly those who represent our opinion
h* Cannot Ne MissndePstoed
4 LET us have free expression, let VI
2orol cur representatives to Congress
~ there be fair and open discussion ant
- consultation and then we can trus
q ~ future. With the country aimos
a&oualIy divided between two parties. tn.
<lPoeat expression and choice of repre-
;noatativos should be welcomed
+ "But II Is said that a return of Re
&1uhlican majority viii be misunder
I'D abroad. BY whom? BY the Ger
2mans? They know that the Republican
Z t0odsrs are intsnt on complete victory
- the Allies? They have no reason tc
&rnbt that their interests would be safe
= - Republican councils. Move shall
i ~ be misunderstood, We shall sup.
~ the President AZ the President, no,
~ the President of party, not as the
Ieogtdent Of half the nation, but as the
( vrogident of the entire nation as he acts
Ino0prding 70 the genius Of our institu-
-, and we shall save him from the
1or dignity and influence of mere