The Washington herald., 1912-08-11
Is NOT an iosa Of enfhusiasm in . single

Mr.. wilson's speech can hardly be
called a battle-cry 1t is more ike
the piping Of some Acadian shepherd.
The Baltimore platform was mild
enough, but Mr.. Wilson's position on
all questions is even more innocuous.
Such topics as he discussed were treat
ed in academic fashion, and even his
reference to the tariff carried with it
no anxiety for the manufacturer. No
wonder that Wall Street chortled with
joy; no wonder that the conservatives
manifested their hearty approval. The
impression one receives from the ut
terance is that Gov. Wilson would not
harm fly. 1t used to be said of the
late Senator Allison that he could
walk over eggs from Dubuque to Wash
ington without breaking single she'll
Gov. Wilson's speech of acceptance
gives evidence of a similar ability.
1t was wise speech, though, even
in its avoidance of all offense. The
radical Democrats will vote for Wilson
anyway. II is the conservative Demo-
crat who must be kept from voting for
Taft. The Bryanites will vote for VIII
son because upon Wilson the seal of
approval has been set by Bryan. If
Wilson can hold the conservative ele-
ment, he sees victory assured. This
undoubtedly is the idea which is upper
most in his mind.
1t is now three-cornered fight, with
Roosevelt the most aggressive and best
equipped financially of all the candi-
dates. The fund at his disposal is
apparently unlimited. Wilson has be-
hind him united party, inspired with
the hope that this is the long-awaited
Democratic year. President Tafts
campaign has hardly crystallized. What
ever is being done in his behalf is
marked. at least by great deliberation.
This is the situation as it stands at
present. There are only about eighty
days before election. In that time the
political kaleidoscope will change fire.
quently, but it would seem as if the
campaign. so far as it affects the Pres
ident, ought not to be allowed to drift
much longer. The programme of the
Progressives is already mapped out
They are Immediately going into Maine
and Vermont to conduct an aggressive
contest, and place the regular Repub-
licans upon the defensive. In less than
ten days it will be universally evident,
if the fact is not realized now, that the
enemy which the Republican party has
to fear is not Democracy, but Progress
sivism Roosevelt has not only pre-
cipitated crisis in the party's history,
but he proposes to wipe President Taft,
if possible, from the face of the earth.
If ever the Republicans needed a DEM
of their old-time energy, re-
and capacity, they need it |
now.
And this is all the more true because.
the labor element is with
Roosevelt. The Bull Moose platform
is nine-tenths an appeal for the vote of
the workingman. There is every rea-
son why the labor element should be
with Taft, because he has secured much |
legislation of practical benefit to the
classes, but John Mitchell
lovers close to Roosevelt, and Gompers
,onfers with Wilson. Roosevelt prom
ses everything to labor, from a mini
mum wage to one days rest in seven,
md there is no doubt that he will get
many votes in return. just what ap-
,eal will be made by the Presidents
friends to hold labor in line does not
yet appear.
r