The Washington times., 1912-08-08
DEMOCRATS HAVE
MANY OBSTACLES
TO CONTEND WITH
Much Soreness Still Exists
Among Followers of
Speaker Clark.


mat they will sweep the land from
Maine to California in November, are
Tar from being as well satisfied with
the outlook as they profess to be.
From one quarter and another, IT Is
borne in on the Democratic leaders
that all is not as harmonious in the
Democratic ranks as 1t ought to be.
They are trying to present to the
county the appearance of an unbroken
front of unity and harmony, and good
understanding. But while they have
been much more successful this year
than usual, there are still dissensions
In the camp, still many sore spots to be
healed IL Wilson is to be elected in No
vember in the sweeping fashion his
For one thing, the Clark men are still
nursing their grievances inherited from
convention, Speaker Clark has gradual
ly recovered from the gall and bitter
ness which he felt when he learned he
had been soundly beaten, and that VIII
liam Jennings Bryan was the man who
did 1t.
He has not recovered from his anger
toward Bryan, and he never will in all
human probability. But he has at least
gone through the motions of becoming
reconciled to the nomination OF Wilson
and willing to support the nominee.
To Speak in Maine.
Evidence that the Speaker had be-
come reconciled was offered recently
when 1t was announced he would go to
Maine and lend his aid to the success
Of the Democratic ticket there in the
September elections. Oscar Underwood
also is going, and many other leading
members of House and Senate, and
there will be fine spectacle of Demo-
cratic harmony and energy presented.
But, in spite of the fact Mr.. Clark Is
striving not to show his feelings, the
Clark men In various parts of the coun-
try are still sullen. 1t is quite possible,
rolls around they will be won over COM
pletely and prevailed on to devote them
selves earnestly to the cause of electing
Wilson and a Democratic Congress. But
they are giving the Wilson leaders wor-
ry at present.
One reason for the sulIen temper of
the Clark men in some localities is that,
after being walked on at Baltimore,
there. Triumphant Bryan men in va
rious localities have not hestated to
put salt on their wounds. Some of
them, for their Baltimore mistake, are
getting kicked out of their committee
manships and other places because they
had the bad taste to pin their faith on
loser.
An interesting straw has fioated in
from idaho as showing about how the
wind is blowing. That Is the State Of
former Senator Dubois, who was the
Clark manager in the Baltimore conven-
tion and preceding 1t. The Democrats
have been calculating on carrying the
State. But Roosevelt sentiment has
taken root there, and now, according
to high authority. there is a good chance
that Roosevelt will carry the State. and
Wilson will lose it. ~
Senator Borah; Progressiye leader.
may y,, Pun Through & for the Senate; put put
cause the Progressives of the State, re-
gardless Of party. like him and have
confidence in him.
Clark Men Mad.
It appears the Clark men in Idaho are
still wrathful at Bryan. and not recon-
ciled to Wilson, and while it is hardly
to be supposed time tried politician
like Dubois would not swallow his
Democratic prospects are. said to be
slim in the State and the Roosevelt
prospects gaining.
crop that is springing from the seeds
sown by the Democratic enemies Of
Wilson before the nomination. The at
tacks on him because of his utterances
on immigration and because of his al
legged lack of sympathy for labor have
not ended as to their effects with the
preconvention campaign. Republican
campaign managers are quietly but as
tutely working to foment all the preju-
dice possible against Wilson on account
Of such things.
One tnlnS WnicH Is DelnR QOne, ap-
parently, by the Republican manag-
ers. is to stir up the people who have
come to this country from southern
Europe. Governor Wilson's utter
ances as to these peoples are to be
taken the fullest advantage of by his
enemies.
A leading member of the Senate
came back from Chicago the other
day with the information that un-
usually large number of Italians were
to be naturalized this year and en-
listed to vote against Wilson. And, in
spite of the fact the leaders Of. the
American Federation of Labor are
for Wilson, every effort will be made
to promote the hostility of labor
against him.
Nearly three months remain of the
campaign and much can be done in
that time. The sores that hurt the
souls of thousands of the Democrats
may be soothed and healed Still 1t
Is quite clear the Democratic leaders
have a lot of work ahead. Not the
least Of their troubles is the fact that
Roosevelt plans a campaign of tre-
mendous energy. that he threatens to
take many votes from Wilson as we'll
as from Taft, and that it is impossible
as yet to gauge what proportion he
will draw from the vote that would
otherwise go to Wilson.