The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-05-20

sound money. Again in 1908. the
choice of the Democrats was not
known with certainty in advance, and
while the Republican nominee was
fairly well assured, the platform OF
that party promised as spirited a con
troversy as ever filled the galleries of
a convention. Certainly both at Chi
cago and Baltimore the convention
scenes of 1912 were sufficiently enter
tanning. But this year there is less In
terest in either the nomination or the
platform at st. Louis than at any time
within the memory of the oldest con-
v~ention-goer; while, on the other hand,
there is more interest Though, as yet,
less demonstratiye) in both the nomi-
nation and the platform at Chicago
than at any time since Lincoln was
first named in that city.
All Cut and Dried.
The cause of all this is quite easy to
find. The denomination of Mr.. Wilson
will be a party necessity, ever if 1t
were not a party desire. The Demo
cratic platform could be written now
by any newspaper reader in the land
Its major note will be a strong ap-
prevail of the whole course of the pres
ent administration, including the diplo-
macy which is said to have kept us out
of war with Europe. and the wisdom
which, 1t will be claimed, has charac.
terized our dealings with Mexico. The
minor notes will have to do with the
government ownership of our mer'
chant marine, the abandonment of the
Philippines, and the beneficial effects
of the Underwood tariff law. The 81
lent measure will be used as to such
matters as a second term, free tolls on
the Panama Canal for American coast
wise ships, and the high cost of living.
In sharp contrast with all this cut
and-dried program will be the Repub-
lican convention. No mar can predict
with certainty the nominee, and no
man car write with safety the plat
form In advance. All that can be stat
ed with reasonable assurance is that
the grave crisis in international affairs
and the universal demand for a re-es-
tablishment of the American doctrine
of protection, will bring together both
factions of the Republican party I'M
der one candidate and declaration
of principles. Who the candidate shall
be, and how far in this direction. or
that. the platform shall go, are secrets
now hidden in the processes of gesta-
ton.
The Republican party has never
faced a more solemn duty. or a more
inspiring opportunity. That the coun-
try is ready to return it to power is
written large in every political omen.
Not only has the fact persisted through
the last four years that the Republican
voters, united, are in a clear majority,
but every election held since the last
Presidential campaign, in which ma
tional issues were involved, has shown
an increase in that majority. All the
party needs to dc is to stand up square
toed to the occasion.
That there will be a good fight no
shrewd observer doubts. That defeat
is possible, even that there are ways
to make it certain, every frank and
disinterested party man will admit.
That victory is assured if there is sum-
moned to the cause the whole Repub-
lican sentiment of the country. all Re-
publicans and all Democrats know.
Necessary Qualifications.
In such an emergency who is the
best man to nominate? 1t is easier to
describe his type than to find his name.
First: The Republican nominee must
be a man experienced in public affairs.
He must know world politics, and he
must be skilled in domestic legislation.
There is nothing S dangerous to the
fortunes of a democracy, or indeed of
any other government, as a theorist in
power. No man whose habits of life
have held him aloof from practical at
fairs can wisely lead or interpret pop.