Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-19
Speakina Of Non-Partisan ship.

cratic cdltprsnlp, IL "oulQ SeeH,
ought to strike a non partisan level
that would offer the facts: but such
the following product of the above
mentioned combination. an exact
pe.vcrsion Of fact is handed the in
uocent reader:
There is considerable discussion
lust now over the desirability OF cut
ting out political campo igning this
wear II the war Is in progress. as 1t
probably will be. Both parties real
ize. and particularly the Republi-
cans. that the people are in no mood
20 have the merits and dement's OF
political candidates dinned in their
ears when the fate of the nation may
he hanging IN the balance over in
France and hundreds OF thousands Of
American boys are giving their lives
so the politicians may hold their Jobs.
This appeals particularly to the
Republicans who are evidently finding
that their campaign of criticism of
the administration is not so strong
as they thought II might be when II
was Instituted While the Demo-
Gratis are IN a much better position to
meet an extensive speaking cam
paign, they cannot hope to get much
more benefit out of 1t than the Re-
publicans.
To be sure astute Democratic lead
ers have talked much of the desir-
ability Of cutting out political cam
paigning this year as a Republican
duty. That argument was para
mount at the Democratic State con-
vention. II was part and parcel of
the talk Of the same leaders. OF mon
craftsmanship" and of prohibition no
longer an issue
But has anybody ever heard of talk
of the desrahility of cutting out
Democratic political campaigning" :?
We rather guess not.
We agree, also. that Republicans
particularly realize" the necessities
OF the hour and the psychology Of the
American mind.
And. sorrowfully. we must admit
that the Democratic party. from the
Watervlle Sentinel Office up to
George Creel's political publicity bu-
rcau. seems to think that all we are
sending our boys to France for is that
extraordinary purpose of making sure
that PRESENT politicians may hold
their jobs"
And OF all things most apparent
this does, indeed. appeal particular
~ TO the Republicans" who every
day realize more and more, that the
bitter criticisms of the administra-
ton by Democrats high in the ranks
Of that party. were so true and so
plain to the public as to excite COM
passion in the hearts of loyal Re-
publicans.
At this point we come to the mis-
leading and absolutely false portion
If the above excerpt. The cam
paign OF criticism of the administra-
ton" referred TO was not of Re-
publican origin but of Democratic.
Without question. If ANY Republican
assailed the administration as did
the late Senator Stone of Missouri,
chairman of the Senate foreign rela-
tions committee, such Republican
would have been shot at sunrise.
And senator Stone was unfalteringly
supported by his colleague, Senator
Reed of Missouri.
Nor were they all that appeared
outspokcnly in the L. :. Senate in the
campaign Of criticism started" to
say nothing of the Democratic critics
in the National House and else
where in the country. notably in sew
eraI of the leading Democratic news
papers. In the Senate appeared with
unanswcrable criticism. Senator
Chamberlain Of Oregon. chairman Of
the Senate committee on military af-
fairs, and Senator Hitchcock of Ne
braska, chairman of the Philippines
committee and member Of the Senate
committee on foreign relations and
also of the committee on military af-
fairs.
Does any Democrat, ever so small
up here in Maine. or ever SO large
down in Washington. expect that he
will be permitted to get away" with
the brazen, inexcusable. whole cloth
falsehood Of a Republican campaign
Of criticism of the administration?
Because. If so, the facts are to be
presented and a republication from
the Congressional Record would not
be pleasing reading to the admins
tration.
As a matter Of solemn fact. the
best way in the world for the Demo-
cratic organization to run non
partisan" campaign is to put a stop
q once to partisan falsehood from
~ speakers and writer's.