The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-08

From the Boston Transcript.

4 rom the Boston transcript.
TIME democrats have done the unex-
pected There is plenty of time and
- there Is an abundance of opportu-
nifty for them to make blunders between
now and election day, but the start off
has been wise. As was set forth on this
page few days ago, the nomination of
Woodrow Wilson is the one from which
republicans have most to fear. This has
been patent to all impartial observers for
a long time, and yet the chances of his
nomination seemed remote when the con-
vention opened. 1t took steady pressure
from the outside of the convention to
bring about this result, which was accom-
plished, as all eoncede without any malo-
dorous or otherwise objectionable feat
ures. In other words, Wilson won the
place fairly and is apparently free from
entangling alliances. This gives him a
most favorable point of vantage from
which to enter the campaign and to plan
its course. This is very important.
Wilson is a dangerous opponent of Pres
ldent Taft because he is radical who
will satisfy all radicals except the ultra
sort, and yet possesses elements that
appeal to. many conservatives. Every
where one heard last night the expression
that the country is now sure to have a
good President no matter which is elected
Just how radical Wilson is it is hard to
decide. He balks at the recall of Judges
and yet goes in for the initiative and ref
erendum. He has in recent years made
rather remarkable strides in the direction
of radicalism. and this change of base has
cost him the support of many earnest
friends. However, there is no doubt that
Wilson's work in New Jersey in uprooting
the two old and discredted machines,
democratic and republican. is the real
basis upon which his nomination was
won New Jersey was thought to be hope
lessly welded to its idols of clay, and
any attempt to make over that state
seemed fatuous. Yet in three months
Wilson did it, and the country has not
ceased to marvel at the job. Critics of his
absenteeism must meet the obvious fact
that while he is in the state ne does yeo-
man service for 1t. II there have been
any faults or false bases in this reform
work they will come out In the campaign
Just ahead of us. There, indeed, the can
didate will find an abundance of trouble.
Mr.. Bryan. is one factor that cannot be
ignored. The strenuous points made by
the Nebraskan and his insistence from the
first that radicals dominate the conyen-
ton and. constitute the ticket had a good
deal to do with fixing the conventions
temper and final action. Bryan is sure
to prove a big embarrassment to the cam
didate and is one Of the bases for re-
publican hopes. The contest between the
radicals and the conservatives, moreover,
did not end in the convention, and will
be waged in the campaign. All sorts OF
efforts will be made to make the candidate
appear more conservative or less conserv-
alive than he really is. One faction Will
urge him to be Rough Rider. the other
college man, Tammany will press Its
claims. adroitly of course. but persistent
ly. There will be pressure for campaign
funds and Mr.. Wilson must face many
disa greeable dilemmas on that account.
All these things and many others are
hound TO arise and handicap his campaign
he is Inv no means sure of winning, and
prediction at this stage Is premature.
The obvious points that occurs to every
one is that, arduous as this nomination
may render the work of President Taft
and the republicans, 1t is. oddly enough,
even more dangerous to Mr.. Roosevelt
than to Taft. 1t really leaves very little
| excuse for the third party to exist II
! has drawn that party's fangs. The only
wav Mr., Roosevelt his friends can
| stay in the fight is by proving that Will
son is not a genuine progressive. Cir
cumstances and events will prove whether
this charge can be made with effect. There