The Washington times., 1912-11-03
WILSON AT THE CAMPAIGNS END.

Governor Wilson has played an old fashioned
game of good politics she is played" during this
He found himself the nominee of party
that had given a decisive majority of its convention
support to another before under the two-thirds
rule, it was forced to take him as an alternative
That set for him. as first task to satisfy the ma
jority in his own party that had not wanted him.
Offsetting this disadvantage the fact that
the Republican party, without even the pretext Of
an archaic and undemocratic rule, had also nominated
a man who was supported by minority in its con.
venton and notoriously was backed by pitiful mi
nority Of the mass of party members.
The Republican party was rent in twain, and the
Democratic torn by disaffecon, strife, and dis
gust over the defeat of the man who its ma
joritys preference. The Progressive movement
came with rush, drawing from both the old parties,
inspired by jealous purpose to force issues and
new ideals to the front, and backed by wonderful
body of public opinion.
In these conditions Governor Wilson's game was
to placate, to molfy to avoid antagonsms, to talk
dainty nothngs and glittering generates, to avoid
the real issues which there could be division, and
to hope that the schism within the Republican party
would prove much more serious than that within
the Democratic, to make it possible for Wilson to
win minority election, as he had minority
nomination.
That has been the Wilson program from the be-
ginning. 1t is not a program calculated to arouse
profound admiration, to attract by its vi gor bold
ness, to force the admiration of men who take off
their hats to courage and sincerity Week after week
Governor Wilson has skillfuly skirted the edges
of issues, administering here tap to Mr. Taft, there
a mild reproof to Mr.. Roosevelt, and again gently
slapping the wrist of the Democratic platform on
tariff. As the campaign has drawn closer to its end,
Incl deGn of
has been redoubled; but against this his cautious
managers have re-enforced their nsistence that he
must continue his velvet-footed progress saying
nothing that could possibly be construed into
thing.
The governor has been apt pupil in this
orthodox old school of politics. He has managed to
Skin through" the campaign without committing
himself to anything in particular and today he faces
the polling with the unique record of having talked
extensively without saying anything that defines his
position at all accurately He is committed to nothing
in particular The platform on which he was NOM
mated was admirably adapted to just such program
of campaigning
So it falls out that Governor Wilson is just as
much enigma as ever. Behind him is a party
that has no particular convictions, and whose leaders
have acquiesced in the Wilson program of conceang
even the suspicion of convictions Should Governor
wilson De eiectea We country VIII ruo lis eyes ana
wonder what it is entitled to expect. 1t will realize
that it has acquired no information on that subject
save that Mr.. Wilson is in favor of tearing down the
American protective policy.
Whatever of conviction of direct issues of defn-
lite program and positive purpose mas teen injected
into the campaign has come from the Progressive
party. There is no uncertainty where it stands,
what it intends to do. That it actually reflects the
thought and aspiration at the top of the national mind
none can doubt who considers its accomplishment Of
building new party in three months to a strength
that makes of the two possible contenders for
the victory.
SING RIPDIE