| Show SYNOPSIS OF HUGHES SPEECH we are not here to indulge in formal expressions we come to state bbate gnp in a plain and direct manner our faith our purpose and our pledge this re representative presenta live gathering is a happy I 1 augury it means that the party of oc lincoln Is restored alert effective at the iery ery beginning of tile the present administration where in the direction of diplomatic intercourse there should have lave been conspicuous strength and expertness we had weakness aud and inexpertness instead of assuring respect we invited distrust of our competence and speculation as to our capacity for firmness and decision the dealings of the administration with mexico constitute a confused cont used chapter of blunders we have not helped mexico she lies prostrate overwhelmed helmed with the woes boes and outrages s ot of internecine strife the helpless victim of a condition of anarchy which the course of the administration only served to promote for ourselves we have witnessed the murder ot of our citi bens and the destruction of their property we have made enemies not friends instead of commanding respect and deserving good will by sincerity firmness and consistency we provoked misapprehension slid and deep resentment we demand from mexico the protection of the lives and property of 0 our citizens and the security of our border from depredation 1 I stand for the unflinching maintenance of all american rights on land and sea we have had brave words in a series of notes but despite our protests the lives of americans have lave been destroyed what does it avail to use some of the strongest words known to diplomacy if ambassadors can receive the impression that the words are not to be taken seriously had this tin s government by the use of both formal and informal diplomatic opportunities left no doubt that when we ave said strict accountability we meant precisely what we said and that we should unhesitatingly vindicate that position I 1 am confident that there would have been no destruction of american lives by the sinking of the lusitania weakness and indecision in the maintenance of known rights are always sources of grave danger they forfeit respect and invite grave wrongs which in turn create an uncontrollable popular resentment we sh should not have found it difficult to maintain peace but we should have maintained peace with lionor honor during this critical period the only danger of war has lain in the weak course of tile the administration we are a peace loving people but we live in a world of arms we have no thought of aggression and we desire to preserve our democratic ideals without the wastes of strife so devoted are we to these ideals so intent upon our normal development developments 4 that I 1 do not believe that there is the slightest danger of militarism in this country adequate preparedness is not militarism it Is the essential assurance of security it is a necessary safeguard to peace we demand adequate national defense adequate ade quade protection on both our western and eastern coasts we demand thoroughness and efficiency in in both arms of tile the service it if the conflict of national national interests is not to be brought to the final test of force there must be the development of international organization in order to provide international justice slid and to safeguard so far as practical the peace of the arold our opponents promised to reduce the cost of living this they have tailed failed to do but they did reduce the opportunities of making a living the republican party stands for the principle of protection we must apply that principle fairly without abuses in as scientific a manner as possible we stand for tile the safeguarding ot of our economic independence tor for the development of american industry for the maintenance of tile the american standards of living we propose that in tile the competitive struggle that is about to come the american workman Nor kman shall not suffer we stand for the conservation of the just interests ot of labor 1 I indorse the declaration in the platform in favor of woman suffrage it women are to have the vote as I 1 believe they are it seems to me entirely clear that in the interest of the public life ot of the country the contest should be ended promptly I 1 favor the vote for women |
