Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-26

American. speaking of his conouc' as
! a government official. TO arront the
perfectly proper self-respect OF even
the least OF the smaller Repuoics HI
this hemisphere by talking as II ne vi
the government itself carried them IN
its pocket They would be sure 10 re-
sent il. They might remember II ions
and most inconveniently, Ii ) 'he
Monroe Doctrine reversed-tnls arro
CANT Doctrine OF Franklin D. Roose-
Welt. II does not shelter our susie,
Republics-it snubs. insults anu
aiienates them.
II is precisely the wrong way TO get
their support in any League OF Ma
tons we may eventually JOIN. IL We
really needed them 70 offset the SIX
British votes. Franklin D. RooseNeN
is in a fair way 10 lose them Tor Us
We may be very sure that BRUSH
craftsmanship would never be guilty
OF offending the FIVE Colonial votes
granted the British Overseas Domln-
ions by talking in public as II Down
ing Street carried them in its pocket
to say nothing of the pocket OF
some subordinate official Of the Ad-
miralty or Colonial Office The Brit
ish have learned better in dealing
with their own colonies. Perhaps we
taught them. And now we are asked
TO choose as Vice President a man
who does not know better when DEAL
ing with wholly Independent, sensitive
and raciany different Republics.
There are two differences between
US and the Central and South Ameri-
can Republics which we should never
forget-we are larger and we are OIL
vided by a sharp racial demarcauon-
These are ever the two greatest
causes of national misunderstanding.
We have them to overcome If we
would enjoy the sympathetic cooper
alton of our neighbors. But we Will
not do il by any pretenses OF superb
GRITTY. any top-lofty boastings OF our
bigness and power. any insufferable
insolence about carrying smaller peo-
pies in our pocket.
Senator Harding has promised 10
call his Vice President TO his councils
and give him responsible share IN
the government of the nation. the
Vice President should always be big
enough 10 step into such a position:
and he should always be invited to
do SO. Harding has made fine, for
ward looking contribution 70 the evo-
luton Of our growing government
system. Governor Coolidge will bT
common consent be judged the timber
Of which such Vice Presidents should
be made. But today even the Dem
ocratic State Department must have
its doubts CT the capacity. the poise.
the statcsma Mike sagacity OF Frank
lin D. Roosevelt.
There is no use talking nonsense
about II. a public man who does not
appreciate the mischief that may
come from referring scornfully to ma
lions whose esteem ard friendship We
value. as having been in his posses
sion in the sense OF having no opia-
ions of their own. is not the safe and
dependable material out OF which Ne
can afford to make Cabinet Ministers,
TO say nothing of Vice Presidents. A
Vice President may get through his
term. especially under the old rule,
without having any great responsible
tiles laid upon his shoulders. But
then again ne may be called to the
presidency. And he should always
be selected with that tragic possibil-
ity in view.
Would It be wise for America IN a
day when her relations with Europe
are becoming constantly more dubi-
Gus, and when the steadfast conf
dence and friendly feeling OF All the
Americas is OF more and more i'm
portance TO her. to put in the presi-
dency with all its vast powers, q man
who apparently does not think twice
about outraging the sensibilities of
every Latin American Republic out
side of the big fellows?" If that were
the test, we would not dream of do
ing it. Yet we are taking precisely
that risk If we elect Franklin ..
Roosevelt to the important position
OF heir apparent.