Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 258, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1918 — THE JOINT APPEAL. [ARTICLE]

THE JOINT APPEAL.

•Two former Presidents of the United States—'the only former Presidents living—united in a Unique and stimulating appeal to their fellow-country-men yesterday. For years they have not been friends. In -the face of a weighty political situation they forgot differences and found common ground. Mr. Taft and Mr. Roosevelt have asked in temperate language that both of the great political parties of the nation shall have a chance to share in the work of running the nation’s business. They make this plea, they say, as Americans and not as party men. In their statement is the following declaration: > “The work of reconstruction must not be done by one man, or finally formulated according to his academic theories and ideals The President was not elected when such issues were before the people. His mandate of power was not given in the light of the momentous questions which will soon force themselves for .solution. He was elected as a peace President and because “he kept us out of war.” The American people should, therefore, place in the branch of the government charged constitutionally with adopting policies of reconstruction a congress which will not register the will of one man but fresh from the people, will enact the will of the people/’ Of course the assertion that Mr. Wilson was not chosen as a war President is true. He was elected because the people were peace loving and because the Democratic managers made much of the fact that under Mr. Wilson’s leadership peace had been maintained. To the credit of the country let it be said that the* people, while still loving peace, have demonstrated that they love honor and justice still more. However, they did not name the Democratic party for its work on the theory that it slope, one-half the people or less, would have to fight a war and then determine and control subsequent events. The job facing the nation now is the biggest job in the world- It is not a one-man job. Neither is it a one-party job. An administration composed exclusively of Republicans would be as great a calamity as an administration composed exclusively of Democrats. What is needed now, as the two former Presidents point out, is unity of action and a spirit of partnership. That can not be secured as long as a stirictly partisan appeal is made. The President should welcome Republican advice and Counsel in congress instead of resenting it.—lndianapolis News.