Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1918 — THOSE PEANUT CRITICS [ARTICLE]

THOSE PEANUT CRITICS

It is perfectly right and proper for President Wilson to attend the peace conference, and The Democrat heartily endorses his going. In this we have with us such real Republican patriots as former President William H. Taft, who was too honorable a man for his party and was kicked out of office by the very men who are now so treasonably criticising President Wilson. The meeting of the Illinois State Federation of Labor held at Bloomington this week acd addressed by Governor Lowden of that state, passed a resolution of congratulation and confidence in President

I Wilson and strongly endorsed his J determiation to sit in person at jthe peace conference. The resolution of chier to PresiIdent Wilson —after reciting that labor, in supporting the war, has I been “ably defended by that great j humanitarian in Washington, President Woodrow Wilson,’’ and that j *e recognize in President Wilson ithe most fearless leader in the | world today, the great friend of the J common people, eve r ready to symJpathize with their ideas and J. deals, and that “we have noticed jwilh grave concern the sinister atherpts on the part of the powerful corporate interests, always opposed j?o the interests of labor as well as |‘° tfie interest of humanity a« a | whole, to prevent the president j from attending in person the peace | conference,” urges on all right minded people that “the presence of President Wilson is absolutely

imperative.” Mr. Wilson will be the big man in this peace conference, as he is today the greatest man in the world in the eyes of the people of ; a:I civilized countries, and the very [fact that in the world's history, in the centuries to come, he will stand oat head and shoulders in greater prominence than any citizen of this or any other country is precisely what is worrying the opposition party in these United States today. To show that there —are exceptions to these peanut politicians’ | criticism. The Democrat copies the following editorial from the Lafayette Journal of Wednesday. The Journal is the leading Republi- , can paper of this congressional district and on former occasions has took Will R. Wood to task for his unpatriotic acts in congress:

Hide Vonr Sore Toes With The Other Foot, Gentlemen. It weald be gratifying if the l aited States senate would give - -ome evidence of being composed jj°f men of judgment and discretion instead of performing like a bunch ■of primary school Scholars. This foolishness about declaring f the office of President Wilson vail cant, together with the other hare- . brained proposals along similar j lines is the veriest rot and finds sno endorsement among the people. Is the name of all that is sane, i gentlemen, cover your sore toes , with the other foot and proceed I with the duties that you were elected to perform. If Mr. Wilson is making a mistake in going to Europe it is his mistake and he will suffer the consequences. At any rate there Is no way to stop him and the silly twaddle that is being indulged in the senate stamps his critcs as being even less discerning than they charge the president with being. Mr. Wilson will have a good time and is entitled to it. He may render some real service to the world, in which event we shall rejoice. If perchance he butts his head against a stone wall or two it will be his head that is bruised. At any rate he cannot commit America to any policy that we do not choose to endorse and the senate has the final word concerning the treaties that may be negotiated. It is. to be regretted that be has taken his departure for Europe to explain the meaning of his fourteen peace points without explaining to his own people what they mean. The mere fact that they need interpretation that justifies his unusual visit affords ample

reason for the 'anxiety that prevails at home concerning' the same subject. But while our presidential Don Quixote has fared forth to make the world safe for democracy, the United States senate, together with we of lesser opportunities, may perform real service by giving immediate and thoughful attention to the problems that are calculated to make America safe for Americans. If, and we h&pe it will not, misfortune should overtake Mr. Wilson the nation would be compelled to worry along forever after without him. Therefore we ought to be able to exist for a few weeks without his presence in Washington. We venture to say there have been times in the not distant past when the gentlemen who no\y doth protest the most would have welcomed the announcement that Mr. Wilson was going to absent himself for an indefinite period of time. It is a very childish and * silly exhibition to which we are being treated at a time when there is men’s work to be done. Let us give heed to the substance and permit the shadow to vanish unpursued. If it can be charged that the president is derelict in his duties as executive, do not pave the way for the same charge to lie against the lawmaking body of the nation.