The Washington herald., 1912-05-12

lsestion viii never eventuats into .
reality The bench Of the highest legal
tribunal in the land ought 10 be free
from Presidential possibilities. A man
who accepts a justieeship ought to ac-
knowledge BY that very act that heshas
no political ambition. The moment
that a member of the Supreme Court is
taken as Presidential candidate that
moment every justice VIII begin to hope
that some day the lightning will strike
him The result viii be that the Su-
preme Court viii descend from its pres
ent high estate. We will have politics
instead Of law in each decision. Every
justice viii involuntarily have in his
minds eye the possibility that some
day his written opinions may have
political advantage or disadvantage.
The dangers that now menace the
nation are great We are passing
Through crisis, comparable only to the
period which Immediately preceded the
civil war. 1t is not too much to say,
however, that if politics enters the ss-
cred precincts of the United States
Supreme Court an irreparsble injury
viii be wrought. 1t will be a grave
mistake with unhappy consequences in
the future.
It should be noted, of course, that
the talk Of a compromise candidate
comes in the main from those who are
manifestly unfriendly to the President
The lstteTs friends will not for a mo-
ment admit that there is any occasion
for such suggestion. They believe
that Mr.. Taft viii not only be nomi-
mated, but that he win also be elected.
They count, and with much reason,
upon the support of the solid, substan-
tial element of the country. They be-
lieve that the people will awaken to
realization of the fact that the inter-
ests behind Roosevelt are sinister and
dangerous. while Taft commands the
support of those who desire to see the
nation progress along the path it has
already so successfully Travelled.
The trouble IS, however, that this
business element is not thoroughly |
awakened to full appreciation of the
responsibility that rests upon it. The
figures of the recent primaries in Mas
sachusetts and Maryland show that
only small proportion of the Repub-
lican vote was cast. In Baltimore, for
instance, the business men were sparse
ly represented at the polls, while that
element of the population which de-
lights in agitation and disturbance pre-
dominated and made Roosevelts VIC
tory possible. 1t is curious fact, also,
in connection with the Maryland re-
suit that the colored voters supported
Roosevelt One wonders how this
could happen unless the Brownsville
incident has been completely forgotten.
It is not so long ago that mass meetings
were being held throughout the coun-
try eondcnnirg Roosevelt for his
brutal usurpation of power" in dis
honorably dismissing veteran colored
soldiers without even the semblance of
/ trial The Afro-Ameriean newspapers
we're filed with denunciation of Roose-
Velt for his hasty and unjust act, and
charging him with perse-
,uting and betraying the colored race
we're being universally adopted.
Either the memory of the colored
nan in Maryland is very brief, or else
lie subordinates sentiment to present.
lay material considerations.
With Taft fighting against Roosevelt {
md with Harmon forced to struggle
gainst the active opposition of Bryan. /
he situation in Ohio becomes doubly
1t is difficult to imagine
condition of more dramatic interest. I
Each candidate, Taft and Harmon, A..
must demonstrate to the country that
lie is desired By the people of his own Z
state. Anything less would BE- fatal. i
Is to- the outcome, no one is yet in G
'osi:ion to make absolute prediction. /;
n 1903 Ohio gave Taft a plurality of r
95oI for President, and on the same
ay elected Harmon TO the govetnor- :
hip by plurality OF 10000 What it
vii do in this year of our Lord 1919
! still uncertain.