The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-04-14

SUBSTANCE 10 the anu-tnird term IDEA,
however, to defeat Roosevelt it. through
a remote possibility he should be nomi-
mated The examples Of George Wash
ington, who declined a third term, and
of Ulysses S. Grant, who was refused
third term. are not to be forgotten.
The American people have not yet
reached the point where their political,
moral and industrial salvation can be
wrought only by one man.
But suppose-and it is a remote and
distant Observation-Disclosures should
be chosen for third term. Greater he
would be than Washington or Grant. He
would be the one American citizen who
had been able to oyerturn precedent and
tradition! The White House would have
to be enlarged
Some months ago, in discussing the
then existing political situation, The
Washington Herald emphasized the
chances of Speaker Clark as the Demo
cratic Presidential nominee. Since that
time the Clark boom has steadily grown.
The result in Illinois proves his pops
larity in the West, and unless the other
candidates begin to show some strength
the Clark band wagon will look very at
tractive to those delegates who want to
be upon the winning side
Champ ClarSs advantages as a can
didate are, many He has had a
straight Democratic record, while Will
son and Harmon were not always in
accord with the organization; he is a
progressive to the extent Of having vot-
ed for the initiative and the referendum
in the Missouri Legislature, and yet he
is conservative enough 10 believe that
this question, and others of similar
character. like the recall. are State and
not national issues; and he is of the
type of American citizenship which uni
versally appeals. The only flaw which
his enemies can find in his record is
speech, delivered many years ago, where
in he declared his free trade sentiments
and expressed a willingness to see the
custom-houses' destroyed If he should
be the nominee the Republicans would
undoubtedly make the most of this dec
laration and appeal to the business in
terests of the country to save Ameri-
can industries from destruction Gen.
Hancock went to defeat for uttering
phrase which is now acknowledged as
almost automatic, and another phrase
was Blaine's undoing The effect Of a
single utterance upon candidates po-
litical fortunes cannot be overestimated
1t is impossible, however, to predict
what the Baltimore convention will do
The Democratic party is playing wait
ing game. Its nominee ana its policies
will be largely determined by the action
of the Republicans at Chicago. New
York will, as usual, have a large voice
in the decision The New York dele
CATION has been chosen, but the con-
vention carefully avoided all reference
to candidates. Mr. Murphy-and Mr..
Barnes on the Republican side is in the
same situations not in politics for his
health. Being a practical and not sem
timental politician, he wants candidate
who can carry New York and thus be
elected President. When Mr. Murphy
agrees to support any candidate, how
ever, it will be upon an understanding
that win not be to Murphy's disadvan-
tage When the agreement has finally
been reached, the nomination will be |
made.
Of course, this is not always the case.
Grover Cleveland was renominated at
Chicago, despite the fact that an the
New York delegates signed paper as
sorting that he could not carry the
State In the end, however, Tammany |
was placated and Cleveland was elect
ed. 1t will be unusual if New York is
not potent factor at the Baltimore con-
vention And nobody knows positively
where New York will finally land That
there is an undercurrent in New York
toward Mr.. Underwood is certain.
With President Taft as the Republic
tan nominee, Ohio viii also be battle
ground. This is one of the strongest
in Gov. Hsrmon's favor, but
Mr.. Bryan. determined that Gov. Hsr-
mon shall not be nominated, if he. can
prevent ii, proposes to stir up the HSf-
mon opposition in Ohio through a per-
sonal campaign Upon the result of his
lntagonistic effort much will depend. If
he can demonstrate that he has suf6-
-ient following in the State to jeopar-
die Harmon's election, the convention
viii certainly take that fact INTO ac-
count The Democrats, if they hope to
win, must certainly select a candidate
Upon whom all factions in their party
an unite ---