Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-03-08
STALKING HORSES

In their concerted effort to. defeat Woodrow Will
son for the Democratic nomination the special in
erests are playing one Of the oldest tricks known
political craft They crOwding the field with a
multiplicity OF candidates the hope that thus they
may divert the strength of the really popular
leader and deprive him Of the necessary twOthirds
vote in the convention Wilson out of the way they
can bargain at pleasure and the nomination to
anyone acceptable to their common cause
These interests care no more for candidate
than another if he but their immediate pur-
pose Indeed they are so singularly brOadminded
that they care nothing for party lines. Their
chief concern is to see that both the Democrats and
the Republicans nominate 'whO-either will not
or cannot do anything change existing conditions;
and that accomplished they leave the voters to go
puppetIike to the polls and fight out mock battle
The fact that they have eentered their fire upon
woodrow Wilson is ample proof of the reality and the
Submarines OF his leadership He is the candi
date feared by the reactionary element in both par
ties the one truly progressive statesman who is
likely to be elected if he is nominated. His strength
is measured by the character and the degree Of an
tagonism he has aroused. His foes and their tactics
against him are among his highest recommendations
TO the rank and file Of the people
A few months ago there only one aggressive
candidate against Governor Wilson for the Demo
cratic nomination. Today there three in whose
behalf money is being poured out and there are four
or five others who are being held ready in the back
ground
Interestingly enough these three candidates hare
been draCH from three different sections of the
try and though OutI0GrdIy Independent. they are
apparently inspired by common purpose and derive
their financial support from kindred sources
In the west, Speaker Clark is being urged against
Woodrow Wilson
IN the north; Governor Harmon is being urged
against Woodrow Wilson
u the south Congressman Underwood is be-
Ing urged against Woodrow Wilson.
II is 4 significant fact that none Of these candi-
dacies conflicts with the other. but all of them
verge IN opposition to Wilson
Speaker Clark is not seriously considered in
Georgia as an asprant 10 the nomination, nor is
Congressman Underwood seriously considered beyond
the Mississippi. Neither of these Governor Har-
mon has developed anything like national following
such as Woodrow Wilson represents Not one of the
three has the dimmest chance of entering the con-
vention with votes enough to nominate him.
What then. is the meaning of this three-cOrnered
campaign against the vrile and popular leader
Democracy has known for a generation?
In no wise. would impugn the individual mo-
tive or dsparaEe the individual merit of these gen.
tlemen. Each of them is man Of noteworthy at
tainments and has rendered the party distinctive
service It is matter of regret, however that they
are being used by special interests for end so
contrary TO the good Of the party and the rights
Of the people.
The truth is>there is but one candidate north,
south. east or iOest, against Governor Wilson's nom
fnatiOH aud that candidate is neither Clark, Hdr-
mon nor Underwood, but Wall street.
The same influences that have ruled the nation
through a Republican regime are now seeking to
rule 1t through Democratic machinery; and to that
end they have parceed out the country and have ad
vanced in each section the candidate most available
to their specaIdesgn. trusting by such means to
troll the Baltimore convention at least to prevent
woodrow Wilson from securing the nomination
Ii IS for the people TO determine whether they
wall street shall name the Democratic nominee for
the presidency.
Especially is this true Georgia, where there is
soon to be held a presidential primary in which
the individual Democrat will directly express his
choice OF the party's standard bearer.
The citizens of this state should remember that
woodrow Wilson is southerner by birth and rearing
and BY inherent sympathies. that he is virtually
Georgian, that he is the one broadly national and
truly Independent figure among all the candidates
for the nomination.
vote for Woodrow Wilson means a vote for
definite principles and for a definite candidate.
A uote for Underlcood or Clark Harmon means
merely cote for convention deadlock that may
end in the selection Of mdHthitheTto uHeoHsidered
by the people e-f
Therefore let the Democrats of Georgia, ignoring
any and all puppet candidates. unite in the support of
the one man who represents their convictions, the
one man who really counts and who can lead their
party 10 victory-Governor Woodrow Wilson.
Gentlemen who long to return to the farm but
can't could very well get taste Of farm life in a
back yard garden
The ability OF our congressman will be given the
real test after his garden seed are planted.