The Washington herald., 1908-04-13
NOninstructiOn Will Have
Effect on New England.
LODGE AND CRANE AT PEACE
Convention Only an Indication of
How Massachusetts Leaders Can
Struggle Beforehand and Then
Present a Peaceful Front to the
OppOsition-AIany Favor Taft.


mated and wholesome domestic discussion
in the parlor, but of presenting a picture
of amiable harmony when they open the
front door and invite the mass Of citizen
ship of their State to come in and vote
with them next November
There could be no more picturesque and
dramatic demonstration OF this faculty OF
getting together. for the purpose Of fight
ing what Senator Lodge described. with q
purposeful double meaning, as the com
mon" enemy. Democracy, than was ex-
hibited by the Republican State conven-
ton in Boston.
1t presented the most vivid OF peaceful
climaxes. 1t displayed a wonderful. ex-
hibition Of party harmony, after a period
or party discord. More than that there
were about the conclusion OF the whole
difficulty the atmosphere and the spoken
evidence Of sound sincerity. No observer
Of that convention would doubt the acute
ness OF the preceding differences. nor the
genuineness Of the reunion
Row Over Taft Pledges.
The bloodiess angle of this interparty
battle was over the committal OF the
delegates-at-laFge from Massachusetts, TO
the candidacy OF Secretary Taft for the
nomination for the Presidency at Chicago.
Such a declaration Of the officially repre-
sentative body OF Massachusetts Republi-
cans might have meant much beyond the
borders Of the State. It held possibilities
OF influence upon all the delegates from
New England, even upon those thus far
free from any form of instruction: It held
besides, what your true New Highlander
would graveiy describe as the moral
effect" upon the party throughout the
country even from the Berkshire Hills
TO Puget Sound
It is always to be kept in mind. most
respectfully, that the Ola Bay State still
counts itself the ethical leader among
all the Commemorative. This is SO true
and this is so wholesome that the ANALYST
OF politics whose studies extend into many
States larger in area, in population, and
In aggregate wealth. could wish that
every one of them would take its part in
national politics with so grave. so con-
scientious a mien as does Massachu-
sets.
Many Favor Taft.
The resolutions committee was "unani-
nous" in the agreement that it would
be ''unwise" TO include in the platform
a resolution in favor Of ANY particular
candidate" And then the committee
gTavely went on 10 report that "a num-
Der" Of its members were favorable TO
Mr.. Taft's candidacy. and marched on TO
the assertion of the belief that a ma
jority OF the convention desired his NOM
inatiOn.
Now, mark the sudden transition. De-
spite this asserted belief. the committee
had found it very uncertain" whether
resolution Of preference could be car
ried in the convention, but had discerned
certainty that the presentation of such
a resolution would precipitate a conflict
injurious 10 the welfare of the party"
It is worth admiring, also. the gentle
ness with which the surrender OF the
Taft minority in the resolutions is pre-
sented
It is the minority that joins with the
majority in this decision not to pre-
sent a resolution of preference That, at
least. goes upon record. But the OBJ
security with which it is expressed is tn
very essence of cOncillatory politeness
It IS surrender with a courtesy.
Crane Is the Victor.
There were other conspicuous incident
of the Massachusetts Republican CONVEX
ton of wide concern TO the party.
was interesting TO observe the two Unit,
States Senators. Lodge and Crane. seat,
side by side upon the platform, exchan
ing amiable comments throughout Z
proceedings. It was the junior, , |
Crane, who did no talking, but who r B
created a situation that would sencI "a
Massachusetts, delegation to Chicago | T.
trammeled- It was the senior, Mr.. Lodge,
who exhibited a rare combination of
grace and power in his addgess to the
convention, In support OF the platform,
which secured its unanimous adoption.
His praise OF those honest, manly con
tests, necessary TO the life OF a vigorous
party. was paTalleled with the consum-
mate skill which led up to his depreca-
ton of factional, fights and to his NOV
ing Renaissance Of his one important
difference of opinion with his departed
colleague. Senator Hoar, whose re-elec-
ton he none the less advocated.
That Is history, but It Is very senti-
mental and recent history in Massachu-
sets; and it may be remarked in pass
ing it can be construed as shedding some
light OF anticipation as TO the solution OF
the question upon which the Senators
disagreed-the acceptance by the United
States of the charge Of the Philippines.
That. however, Mr.. Lodge did not men
ton.
Meyers Speech Written.
Postmaster General Meyer, as the per-
manent chairman. quite naturally paid a
tribute TO his official chief. which was
warmly received.
But the address of Mr.. Meyer. it would
seem. had been written beforehand. and
there had been no time for excelsior over
night: else. perhaps. he would have cut
short his overlong review OF the deeds of
Taft. But he, as we'll as Senator Lodge.
aroused the enthusiasm of the conven-
ton with a warm tribute to the achieve
ments OF Mr. Roosevelt as an inter-
national peacemakeT. Ia fact. when the
Postmaster General had finished it would
have been puzzling TO decide whether he
was for Roosevelt or for Taft for the
next Presidency. But having thus I'M
bosomed his emotions oTatorlcally, he
made an admirable presiding officer.
All Of these proceedings viii be read
and discussed for many days In other
States than Massachusetts Their effect
upon the proceedings of the conventions
in the Congressional districts is not likely
TO forward the cause OF instructions or
OF preferences for any candidate In this
State, nor will it aid the movement or
instructions elsewhere In New Eng
land.