The Washington herald., 1912-03-31

these is that Roosevelt will be roni.
mated by the Democrats. This is toe
absurd to be considered. Whatever else
may happen in an age when surprises
are the order of the day, this one thing
viii not occur. One has only to recall
the experience of Horace Greeley to
realize how hopeless would be Roose-
velts nomination on the Democratic
ticket
There is suggestion, too, that a third
party will be organized with Roosevelt
at its head This presupposes that
Roosevelt will bolt the Republican
ticket He will do nothing of the, kind.
He is, undoubtedly, intensely convinced
of the righteousness of his own posi-
tion, and he may honestly have thought
that he was desired as the nominee.
but when his mind has been disabused
of this belief and the convention has
registered its will, he will accept the
result. This, at least, would seem to
be his logical course. He has nothing
to gain outside of his own party, and
certainly he cannot plan deliberately to
wreck the organization that has honored
him with its highest gift
The Democratic aspirants for the
Presidential nomination are displaying
great activity, but their contest is free
from personal rancor. The only ripple
upon the placidity of their campaign is
the charge of the Wilson managers that
the Harmon, Clark, and Underwood
forces have combined against their can
didate. The charge is denied, but it is
not controversy of thrilling interest.
If there is one phase of the Demo-
cratic struggle which is more interest
ing than another it is the development
of the Underwood boom. There is
suspicion that Mr.. Underwood's candi-
dacy was projected for the purpose of
obtaining a nucleus of votes which
might be useful as the balance of power
in deciding the outcome of the conven-
ton, while it would, at the same time,
add to his national prominence. The
fact is, however, that the Underwood
movement has really grown beyond the
fondest anticipations of its promoters.
1t has a substantially now that leads
Mr.. Underwood's friends to regard his
candidacy with great seriousness. 1t is
not at all likely that he will be nomi-
mated, but there is more chance of such
an outcome to-day than there was a
month or six weeks ago.
While Speaker Clark has been gather
ing in the early delegates and thus has
a larger number to his credit than any
other candidate, there is no reason TO
change the formerly expressed opinion
that Woodrow Wilson's organization is
the most extended and most effective
on the Democratic side. 1t has been
built up with much persistence and skill
and is widespread. Gov Harmon con-
tinues to be the object of Bryan's an
tagonism. and while the friends of the
Ohio candidate profess to be delighted
because they have Mr.. Bryan against
them, the fact is that Bryan still COM
mands large following whose support
is necessary to Democratic harmony and
success 1t would seem as if Harmon
is really handicapped by Bryan's op-
position, even though it is attempted to
be offset by the assertion that if Har- |
mon should be nominated he would gain
more Republican votes than he would
lose out of his own party.
The Democratic situation at Balti-
more will call for wise counsel. The
party will have nominated
Mr.. Taft If the Democrats should
deem it wise to oppose a conservative
with a conservative, they will select
either Harmon or Underwood; if they
want progressive who is in favor of all
the new theories of government, they will
take Wilson, and if they desire a middle
of-the-road Democrat they will nom-
mate Clark The choice will depend
largely upon the character of the CAM
paign which they plan in opposition to
Taft 1t will take some political sa-1
gacity to reach a right decision, and
there are apt to be some very earnest
discussions before the final step is taken.
The Republican plan of campaign is
already outlined. 1t will be fought
upon the accomplishments of Taft's ad-
and upon an appeal to the
country to maintain business stability.
There will be a promise of tariff re-
'ision upon lines which will correct ex-
;essive protection without disrupting
he commercial interests of the coun-
ry. In other words, the Republican
ards are already upon the table. How
will the Democrats decide to play the
land?