Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1915-12-02
AS TO HARMONY.

If it be real harmony that is desired within the republican
ranks of the nation, it doesn't seem to be good policy for those
desiring harmony to keep on with the effort to belltue Root and at
the same time boost CummlnS.
Cummins, from the standpoint of the ultra machine forces of
the east, is intolcrablc. Root, judged from the expressions of a few
seIfstyled radicals, is equally Objectionable
Editors who are constantly ':digging' at Root do not exhibit
mental acrnn"n by perssting in pushing the candidacy of Cummins
We understand, Of course, that it is not infrcquently the aim of
local advantage by shouting for some candidate whose chances for
the nomination are very slim, indeed.
But the following Of such a course is mere trimming, and in the
end every eIector Of the state where this style of trimming is adopted
comes to recognize it for what it is worth
1t is not an evidence Of craftsmanship, nor, indeed, does it com
mend itself to the sober sense of the electorate. 1t distinguishes
the boss and the wouldbe boss from the statesman. The latter in
variably aims true. He prefers temporary defeat to temporization
for momentary gains, knowing that it does not pay in the end to
deceive o r attempt to deceive the rank and file of his followers.
We perceive no reason why al editor, or any other man, may
not consistently and Professionally support Senator Cummins, for
instance, who is worthy of confidence and whose ability has been
demonstrated, but to support Cummns with the representation that
it is real harmony that is desired and at the same time fog Root
on the ground that his course in 1912 renders him unavailable is play!
ing between the devil and the deep sea-and one or the other is
bound to swallow the trimmer in the course Of time.
If, for instance, al editor o r any other elector would say that
he stands for Cummins because he believes the man capable and
upright, and is willing to take his chances on his election in the
November following the convention, and that if Cummins does not
seem available when the time for actually making the nomination
rolls around the support of such editor or eector will be thrown to
some candidate whose availability as Of Recognised worth and as a
harmonlzng force is apparent, there might be some consistency in
the course; but to shout for Cummin' as a national party harmonizerr
and denounce Root rs such is about as consistent rs the devil would
be IS an expoundcr of the gospel of love and peace.
standpoint, the republicans of South Dakota are willing to go to
length, within the limitations of consistency, towards
such men as former Congressman Burke, former Senator Crawford,
Governor +. NJ. Byrne, Senator Sterling, former Governor Herreid,
drawn from all factions of the party, be chosen to represent South
Dakota in the next national republican convention.
If the moving spirits of the factions don't wish to harmonic
upon some such basis as suggested-wen, let 'em fight. The satur.
day News isn't vitality concerned. It's willing to let EN- fight if
fighting is what they want. But if harmony is really desired, it
must come in one of two ways: either by meeting halfway in hon
orable peace" Of fighting until there's nobody left on one side or
the other to prolong the battle.
Merely from the standpoint of excitement, and to furnish amuse-
ment for the democrats, the fighting ought to continue.