Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
lHarpcrs ve.klv.l

I4aTp per v 90 XIV
After much hemming and having.
the democrats rose to the occasion at
baltimore and nominated their strong
est candidate. Granting the proba-
biiity OF the election this year OF any
reputable statesman who could hold
substantially the full support of his
party, there can be no doubt that
Woodrow Wilson will poll at least half
a million more votes than any other
whose name was presented for con-
sideration.
The nomination Of a conservative,
however liberaEminded. would have
served only to open the door to Mr..
Roosevelt 4 dark horse" would
have been laughed OF the track In
tclligent choice. therefore, was re-
stricted 70 Speaker Clark. the sturdy
representative Of the old order, and
Governor Wilson. the virile champion
OF the new The basis OF Mr. Clark's
majority I'm the convention was appre-
citation Of true worth and services rem
Gcred. supplemented By strong person
~ attachments. The foundation OF
Mr.. Wilson's two-thi~ds was the feel
Ing that he was a winner. enhanced by
admiration Of mis- exceptional intelleC-
tual capacity. consideration OF his
freedom from entanglements, and re-
Epect for his moral courage. As be
tween the two. the correctness Of the
ultimate decision, from the standpoint
of availability. is beyond question. II
the democrats cannot elect Woodrow
ola
No democratic national canvass
since Jacksons has been inaugurated
more auspiciously. The points Of
vantage may be summarized briefly
AZ follows:
A democratic year. The people arc
Disguised with the republican party
and eager for a change.
Disruption OF the opposition. The
differences of the two wings. for the
first time since the republican party
was born, are irreconcilable.
An open and honest convention. In
marked contrast with the dOings al
Chicago there was az Baltimore no ar
Jitrary action on behalf of one candi-
Gate and no suggestion Of bribery in
the interest OF another.
The main issue. At last the line
Is sharply drawn between excessive
protection and a revenue tariff.
An unpledged candidate. Nobody
pretends that Mr.. Wilson is under the
slightest obligation 10 any man or
group OF men for his nomination.
Elimination OF bosses. So far from
catering 10 those accustomed 10 con
troll. Mr. Wilson defcd them. He had
not hesitatCd 70 deuounce Mr.. Murphy
Mr. Sullivan and Mr. TaFgart by name
Ills sole appeal was to public opinion
Removal Of the blight Of Organism
Mr. Wilson owes nothing TO the mar
plot who schemcd 10 obtain the nomi
nation for himself Nor is he bound il
any way 70 recognize the vagariei
which for so long have discredited the
party IN the estimation of the country
Independent support. Almost with
out exception, the powerful public
journals have already pledged tn,
exercise Of their utmost cndeavors OF
bohalf OF the democratic standard
bearer
Moral sentiment The wide spread
evulsion OF conscientious citizens
against political dcpravity which Mr.
Roosevelt has tried with consummat,
skill to capitalize for his own advance
mont now insures 10 advantage OF Gov
Crnor Wilson, 10 the great relief o
millions who distruBted Roosevelt bu
knew not where else TO turn.
.- a vivid personality Mr.. Wilson hat