The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-25
WHITE / | |: DECLARES
WILSON THE Man
IoWa'S Greatest Democrat Urges
T. His Nomination.
REC|TES CLARK'S HANO|CAPS.

His EmotionaIism 6etrays Him Into
Extravaganza, as In His Reciprocity
speech-Govsrnor Wilson's InteIIec-
tuaI Strensth-His Record as an Elk.
i scutivs.
j. By Hon. r. e. WHITE,
"lowa's Greatest Democrat" Three
Times Party's Candidate For
Governor.
Written for Dubuque Telegraph Herald
It is entirely safe to say that the in
dividual voters Of the United States
are at this time doing more downright
clear thinking than they ever did at
any period Of time preceding a presi~
Dental election. The absence Of par
fy rancor, the constantly diminishing
power of party prejudice and the gen
eral willingness to welcome refOrmG-
tory measures and give these right of
way make up situation such as the
present generation has not witnessed.
) What then, in view Of these excep-
tionably favorable conditions, is the
= primary duty Of Democrats? Simply
this: Hold fast with the faith and grit
of the crusader to the traditions and
principles that have given the Demo
cratic party its present prestige and
power. Suffer no abatement Of that
spirit Of devotion to what is just and
right that has characterized our con,
duct in the past. Prevent the Repub
licanization Of the Democratic party
and nominate for the presidency the
man whose mental and moral equip
ment will inspire confidence in that
vast throng Of independent voters that
now holds the balance of power.
In the very nature Of things it will
be impossible for Republicans to re-
form their shattered ranks. The vacil-
lating tactics Of President Taft and
the amazing stunts enacted by that
man Theodore, while amusing to Demo-
Gratis, are positively disgusting to thou
sands Of level headed, conscientious
Republicans. The annexation Of this
large class Of Republican voters to the
democratic column that is marching
under the banner bearing the immortal
inscription, Equal rights to all, spe-
cial privileges to none," will make De-
mocracy invincible next November.
From among the prominent Demo
Gratis who are feverishly struggling for
the mighty but elusive prize Of the
nomination which one of them ought
the Democrats Of Iowa to select for
their support? Without fear or hest
tation l answer Woodrow Wilson.
A president should not be an emo
tional creature; he should not be i'm
pulsive; he should not be erratic; he
should avoid being spectacular; he
should be so built that he could be
neither hypocrite nor moral delin
duent; he should be u philosopher, a
lover Of aud searcher for the truths
that are eternal. Under all the trying
circumstances which beset the Office a
president should carry himself erect
and dignifiel. Among his indispensa-
BILE assets should be a fund Of knowl-
edge of human history and human ma
ture to enable him to dissect a prOpo-
sitiOu, to analyZe q problem and to
formulate an idea and a sound judg-
ment. We have abundant evidence tina:
Governor Wilson measures up to al!
these fundamental requirements. His
history rs an educator, scholar, To-
gician; his record as an executive, han
dicapped as he has been in the COVER
nor's office by ordeals Of the most for
lnidable character-all these discover
to us the man who admirably fits into
the present emergency. His superior
intellectual strength will add prestige
to the Democratic cause and will bring
thousands of recruits from among the
educated class Of our people.
Iowa Democrats will indorse Wood
row Wilson or Champ Clark. Not in,
the slightest do I wish to belittle the
many good qualities Of our neighbor
on the south, but must be accorded
the right to ask, DOES CHAMP
CLARK MEASURE UP TO ALL
THE FUNDAMENTAL REQUIRE
MENTS above enumerated? All fair
lOluuCu uSu 1uUSL COuCCuO IA0L OAuA N
is handicapped by at least one funda-
mental weakness-that u.s. his lack Of
q disciplined mind. His fatal mental
defect Is his inability to restrain him
self, to maintain his equilibrium. He
il of an emotional nature, and his emo
tionalism warps his judgment and be-
trays him into extravagant and i'm
prudent deeds and declarations which
were he president. having to deal with
nice, delicate questions (such, for in
stance, as foreign relations), might
prove disastrous. Mr.. Clark has given
us recently an object lesson, 50 to
speak, Of this unfortunate weakness Of
bis. In a public speech delivered be-
tore the reciprocity treaty was voted
On in Canada Clark declared he want
ed to see the stars and stripes float
over the whole North American con-
tinent. This unfortunate, inopportune,