Mr. Wilson's speech at Long Branch, on accepting his renomina-
tion for the Presidency, has undoubtedly suffered from the con- densed form in which it was transmitted last week. The President has been attacked for saying in so many words that the United States was not concerned in the causes and objects of the war. The full report of his speech, which has now reached us, makes it clear that he did not intend to convey any such idea :—
" We have been neutral not only because it was the fixed and tradi- tional policy of the United States to stand aloof from the politics of Europe, and because we had had no part either of action or of policy in the influences which brought on the present war, but also because it was manifestly our duty to prevent, if it were possible, the indefinite extension of the fires of desolation and hate kindled by that terrible conflict, and seek to serve mankind by reserving our strength and our resources for the anxious and difficult days of restoration and healing which must follow, when peace will have to build its house anew.'
We note also that in defending his Mexican policy the President frankly admits that he may no doubt have made mistakes in this perplexing business, but not in purpose or object. In short, when read as a whole the speech does not convey the impression of complacency derived from isolated passages.
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