The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-01-05
WHOM SHOULD THE DEMOCRATS
NOMINATE FOR PRESIDENT?

AS Jehovah is our Judge we have no
desire to boost one man for the presi-
dency more than another, except on
the ground that his chances of sue
cess be create.
We believe that the times are pro-
pitious for change, and if the ma
tional democratic convention be wise
in the selection of a candidate, that
the democratic party may again as
sumo the reins of government, wheth-
e =. Taft or Mr.. Roosevelt be the
opposing candidate.
1t seems TO us that our greatest, if
not only, chance of victory is to draw
votes from the disaffected element of
the opposition, and to do this we must
put forward a candidate that stands
somewhat we'll with them in admin
istering the great affairs of govern
ment.
The Bryan element of the party has
had three bites at the cherry, and it
does occur to us that a three-times-
failure ought to be satisfying to Mr..
Bryan's most unyielding and optimist-
ic friends that fourth attempt would
prove abortive.
Mr.. Bryan, as we have said before,
has been honored by the democratic
party more than its founder, Mr.. JEFF
ferson; more than it's great exemplar
and defender, General Jackson. Three
times he has received the presidential
nomination at it's hands. Now of all
men, if patriot, he should be will
ing worker in it's ranks. Letting by
cones be by-gones, he should use his
influence and oratory in bringing to-
gether its warning factions; he should
use the potency and power of healing
and soothing ointment in uniting and
victory possible. He should know as
well as we all know that we can do
nothing with a divided household. If
we would win we must present solid
phalanx to the enemy, and be able to
make an attack upon him with drums
beating, flags waving and forces unit
ed, with nowhere a waver in the
ranks.
To set up Wall Street as a scare
crow at this era in the history of the
party is as f1ippant as it is base.
We believe that the leaders of all
wings and all sections of the demo
cratic party are as honest and high.
toned now as at any time in it's his
tory, and our efforts should be direct
ed in putting one forward as it's lead
er who is the more likely to carry the
party to victory than another.
1t seems to us that Governor Har-
mon of Ohio has demonstrated his ca
pacity for leadership more so than
any other man spoken of for the pres
idency
Why do we say this?
Because he has performed an al
most superhuman feat-he has been
twice elected governor of a republican
state-a state that boasts of being
the birthplace of Garfield, Mckinley
and Taft.
No ordinary man could have won
such a victory, and when one accom-
plishes such feat he deserves and
should receive full recognition for his
capacity for leadership.
democrat can scarcely be elected
president of the United States with
out the vote of Ohio, and having twice
shown his capacity for carrying that
state, it looks to us that the star Oh
democracy points to Judson ----------.
His record during his two terms of
stewardship in the great state of
Ohio is without spot or blemish. He
has held faith with the best and truest
ldOC4o VI IA1O pa ~ IL
for leadership, with Governor Dix on
the ticket with him, the republican
party will at least be made to sit up
and take notice.
We believe that with Harmon and
Dix as leaders a victory is possible.
But if we are to go on permitting fac
tions to fight against factions; refus-
ing to clasp hands and let by-gones be
by-gones, we will give an open high
way to the White House to the enc
my, who at this very moment is more
than half routed.
If political blunder is worse than
a crime it would not only be criminal
but suicidal to throw away the oppor-
tunity that now presents itself to the
democratic party.
Parties are but men in concrete
form and what Cbakocnoaro cavc IF