Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-15
Editors Letter Box
Communication from Mr.. Hight.

To the Editor:
1t seems to be matter of course
for people, whose training in the
conduct of foreign affairs consists in
more or less intelligent reading of the
daily news. to vociferously approve
or condemn or prescribe the course Of
those whom we send to Washington
to represent US. If the qualifications
of these people for doing what they
attempt with SO much assurance are
adequate, it may not be amiss for me
to assume to tell you how to do your
work. So here is something which.
if l were an editor, / would print:
To Republicans of Maine.
Today it is commonplace to say
that never in the life of the. nation
has there been time when heavier
responsibilities rested upon the Re-
publican party. Never have we been
called upon by a sterner need to fol-
low the true course of wisdom; and
never has the true course of wisdom
been harded to discern.
Upon certain great questions our
most learned doctors disagree. The
League and Covenants have split all
parties into factions. Men whose
integrity of purpose is beyond ques-
ton, whose loyalty to the good of the
nation. and whose breadth of vision
and honesty of reason cannot be
denied by any sincre and thoughtful
men-these men are disregarding
party lines and are grouping them
selves in new associations.
This brings great perplexity to
the ordinary citizens. who does not
know all that is to be known. who is
without the means to acquire such
knowledge, and is without the train
ing in statecraft and diplomacy
which would enable him to reason
rightly about it, if he could acquire
it.
Is there any better course for US
to follow than to rely upon the in
telligance and honesty of the States
representation in Washington, as the
trainers of our government intended
we should do? We may do this Sc
cure in the UNREASONABLE fact that
the men who represent us. there in
the thick Of things, know more of the
true character of contending forces
than the wisest of US can know here
at home.
Events move swiftly. and the as
poets of affairs in world and nation
changes hourly. 1t is unlikely that
any man can declare with certainty
what the issues may be on which the
two great parties will differ in the
approaching Presidential campaign;
but it is not too early for the Re-
publicans Of this State to make ready
for the battle. This much is sure,
there will be battle, and the great
contestants will be the Republican
and the Democratic parties. We
know the traditions Of the Republi-
can party. We know the inherent
honor and intelligence Of the minds
that will formulate the issues for
which it will contend. We know
that. when the time comes, leaders
will be chosen by the party, and that
they will be men whom we will be
proud to follow and to support for
the nations highest honors. Secure
in this faith. let us await the out
come OF events. and have our divi-
sion Of the Republican army pre-
pared. There is little sense in bonn
harding our senators and repre-
sentatives with criticism and advice
upon matters Of which we know so
little. All we should do is to strength.
en- them with the realization that we
rely upon them to do that which
from their better point Of observa-
ton they believe to be for the best
interest of all of us. When the time
is right. they, with the greater
knowledge gained in the struggle,
will advise us. and II they give ad-
vice that calls for action, we, II we
are wise. will follow it.
One thing we must do. The ills
OF troubled world and the perplex-
tiles of the nation are not alone to
be considered. We have the future
OF our own State to provide for, and |
must choose q Governor before We