Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-26


TNHE Moses for whom the nation is search.
i ing must have the Sign of the Elephant
burned across his breast
There is no Democrat whose vision leads
out of Egypt The party faunts program
of acquescCnce in slavery, industrial or
otherwise, and the burden of it's cry is an
endless process of correction, damning in its
inertia and forever marking time when there
is constructive work to be done and enter
prises to be achieved.
The rock to smite is the mountain of Amer
icansm, ready at the touch of the rod to
yield ineXhaustible patriotism, prosperity and
progress No voleys of words can open it,
1t is not time when the American people
propose to have their longing for national
security capitalized by any political leader
or by any political party They are suspicious
OF the itch for power which leads this leader
into wanton extravaganza of expression and
that one into vicious championship of extreme
measures.
The war has sobered the public mind. It
looks for a calm leader, man in whom there
is no suspicion of Caesarian ambition, no
taint Of advocacy of particular causes solely
for his own ACKNOWLEDGMENT. They seek
prophet rather than an advocate, man old
i'm experience, whom the wilcs of politicians
cannot move nor the love of power contain
mate
The nation is ripe for protection but not
for the sort of protection which disguised
the bearded as infant industries and deuged
them with favors. The debasement of
great economic principle to crude partisan
ship and Industrial corruption will never
again be sanctioned.
Between a tariff for special interests only
and tariff for revenue only there is a mid
die path, straight and sure, over which this
nation intends to travel
The time is ripe for change, wherefore
It is ripe for n leader; not one of the elder
statesmen. whose sinews have toughened in
the service of politics only, but a new man
with a record of deeds done, and done well,
for the benefit of the whole people, in cir
cumstances which have proved the granite of
his soul and the pure gold of his character.
Is there man in all the land, devoted be-
yond peradventure to the principle of pro-
lection as an economic rather than political
doctrine with vision before him of the ul-
innate greatness and purpose of this nation
a man learned in the laws and customs and
genius of our institutions; a man who has
proved his executive ability, who has met
the bosses on their own ground and stamped
their Colors beneath his feet; a man sat
urated with American ideals, full of purpose
to vindicate the rights of American citizen
ship wherever they are outraged; man not
afraid to form a judgment and follow it,
sure-footed and surc-minded, in whom even
his opponents would have confidence and on
whose shield there is no shame nor dirt Of
my kind?
Is there a man who could be depended on
o put this nation in n state of thorough pre-
oaredness, a statesman and not a swash-
ouckler, who would meet capital fairly and
abor without trembling, who would COM
lrehend that administering a great nation is
lifferent from running corner grocery store,
md that on his wisdom and sagaCity depend
lot only the physical well-being of millions,
lut also the permanenCe of democratic in
titutions?
The people are worn out with the factional !
lights of political groups, which are thirsty |
or power and confuse their selfish aims with
patriotism The fallacy that there are only
me or two men in the Republican party, old |
eaders formerly repudiated, capable of lead |
ng the nation back into prosperous fields, has
10 fascination for them. The Pharaohs can
lot plague the people back into their old
ervitude. They have tasted freedom and |
,ower, and both they intend to maintain.
licting factions. The rank and file have long
ince got together, despite the efforts of |
eaders to keep them apart while they bar
cred and traded for an advantageous alli-
nee. The process of coming together has |
ong since been achieved. There remains
lothing but to defeat the conspiracy of dis
ributon which has set its mind on harness
ng the Elephant to the same old coach, with
he same old bride. to pull the leaders and
heir friends down Pennsylvania avenue in
riumph.
Because we believe that protection, indus
rial and national is essential to our per-
nanent prosperity; because we are convinced
hat another four years of Democratic rule /
would put the country in pawn and delay
or fifty years the trade dominance which is !
awning. we contemplate with anxiety the
ncreas sing audacity of leaders discredited
our years ago, and we are more than ever
onvinced that it is high time for the great
masses of voters to bestir themselves, select
candidate of their own and send his name
o Chicago with such a weight of ndorse-
nent behind it that the convention will not
or one minute be in any doubt whatever as
o who the candidate will be. 1t must be an
Instructed convention, which will do little
lore than write the platform and record
he popular will,
In looking for this Moses it may be poss-
lie, for instance, TO find man whose name
ot only causes Democratic knees to shake,
ut is a signal also for more foot-warmers
q certain Republican quarters.
"NEUTRALS HAVE NO RIGHTS"