The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1912-03-02
FIGHT RADICAL WITH RADICAL?

son if the republicans nominate
Roosevelt. 1t is also necessary to
nominate Wilson if the republicans
nominate Taft.
AS the Press argues it, Roosevelt
is progressive, with advanced views,
and is a fine campaigIer. If he is
nominated Wilson is about the only
democratic candidate who could cope
with him
In other words, it is a case of dia-
mond cut diamond. If the republi-
cans nominate an extreme radical, or
so-called progressive" then the
democrats must play with the same
sort of fire and out-radical the G. o.
P. by the nomination of an extremist
as it's standard bearer.
On the other hand, if the republi-
cans nominate a conservative man,
like Taft, then it is more than ever
essential to nominate a radical can
didate so that, as the Press views it,
he can secure the support of the
Roosevelt people, who will be nope
lessly estranged from their old polit-
ical connections.
Commenting on this illogical de-
liverance by our Savannah cOntem-
porary the Americas Times-Recorder
throws out some facts and suggest
ions that will appeal to the good
judgment and common sense of those
who are really interested in the sue
cess of the democratic party and not
the political preferment of some fad
list whose real interest in reform
is what he may get out of it. Says
the Americas paper:
The Press seems to be hypnotized
by the so-called 'progressiveness'' of
present-day politics. 1t apparently
believes that the whole country is
'hell-bent" in that direction.
Is it not quite possible that while
the radicals are making so much
noise, while they are making the
welkin ring with their tumult, there
may be a vast mass of voters, per-
haps a decided majority, that are
sizing them up as too extreme to be
trusted with the control of govern
ment, as too unsafe to have power
placed in their hands, as too vision
airy to be permitted to grapple with
the practical solution of existing
problems?
When it comse down to a radical
candidate does any one suppose that
Wilson can out-radical Roosevelt,
that he can possibly stir up the en-
thusiasm along those lines that
Roosevelt can do, that he could ap-
peal to the extremists of both par
ties with as much force as the ex-
president would do?
To use an old-time colloquialism
is it not highly probable when il
comes to appealing to the people or
such lines as these that Roosevelt, a
past master in political chicanery
would fairly eat the schoolmaster VI
alive?
If the democratic party thinks
there is nothing in the country but &
bowling, surging, tumultuous mass
of half-frenzied radicals clamoring
for innovations in all directions ther
it might do we'll to oppose Roosevelt
with Wilson in a probably vain eff
fort to secure the bulk of such ;
vote
But if, on calmer reflection, i
comes to a realization that there ma,
be much froth about the progress
i've" business, that there may be muc
sounding brass and tinkling cymbal
to it, that it may be very much like
lot of the racket that the stream q
petty depth makes in tearing it
course over rocks and pebbles, an
that beyond it there may be a grea
and mighty stream of sane, well-ba
anced, thoughtful, reflective, INTEL
gent voters, DESTROYS of reforms BIT
not DESTROYS of a widespread tearin
down of old principles and old inst
buttons to accomplish something Thu
may be brought about on more COZ
sentative lines, with less spectacul'
performance but more effectivene
in the end, then it will let Rooseve
do the radical stunt by himself al
turn to some safe and sane mt
who is progressive in proper sen
and not carried off his feet by tel
porary ebulhtions of well-manipulf
ed and extensively advertised radici
ism.
Wilson may, as the Press believ'
draw to himself many Roosev
votes if the ex-president is not nor
mated. But who can tell how ma
democratic voters of the past "
quietly transfer their ballots to
other column as an Offset. 1t