The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-06-22
THE CANDIDATES. AND THE
CAMPAIGN.

The denomination of President
Wilson has been inevitable from the
day when congress, under his guild
ance, completed the work which ev-
cry previous administration since the
civil war has either shirked or bungl-
ed-the work of a real downward re-
vision of the tariff. The remaining
of Marshall for vice president was
made certain when the republicans
picked another Indiana man, Fair
banks. for second place on the G. O.
p. ticket. The convention merely
registered a verdict already delivered
by the nation.
1t is no easy campaign on which
the democracy has entered. Mr..
Hughes is the strongest candidate the
republicans could muster, and many
powerful forces are working in his
behalf. The old tariff barons are re-
publicans by necessity, Wall street is
republican from habit, the hyphenat-
ed howlers are republicans by DELHI
crate and most discreditable choice.
They do not love Hughes, but they
must beat Wilson or confess their
own impotence. Such combina-
ton is not an easy one to defeat
Yet the democrats are confident,
and not without reason They know
that Wilson, like Hughes, is the
strongest man in his party, and they
can meet promises and criticisms
with remarkable record of perform
.ance.
In the matter of domestic reforms,
that record is quite without a rival
in our history. The Underwood tar
; if is a thoughtful, honest downward
revision, and one not likely TO be
repealed until it has chance to
prove itself under something like nor
NAL conditions. The opening of AL
aska and the whole work of the in
terror department appeal to the west
with great force.
The federal reserve act, carried
through by President Wilson's per-
sonal influence in the teeth of the
fiercest opposition, is an achievement
which no republican spellbinder ever
dares to criticize. 1t brought the
United States, without a panic,
through the greatest financial crisis
in the worlds history. The speaker
who proposed to return to the old
banking system might count himself
lucky if he were merely hooteu off
the platform.
Republicans will direct their chief
bombardment against President Will
sons foreign policy and his alleged
shortcomings in regard to national de-
tense. 1t is by no means certain,
however, that their ammunition will
have much effect. AS for prepared
ness, the Chamberlain bill, even in
it's modified form, does more for the
army than all republican legislation
for the previous fifty years, and more
battle tonnage has been authorized
for the navy under Wilson than dur
ing any previous administration.
Much the same condition prevails
when it comes to discussion OF for
eign policy. Undoubtedly, the Amer
lean people want peace while it can
be kept with honor. President Will
son has kept peace, and the national
honor has not been forfeited. He
has compelled Germany to give up
her submarine piracy, he is challeng-
ing England's interference with the
mails-and it is not easy to see how
republican speakers or editors can
object to either course. They may
call for intervention in Mexico, but
if events occur which in the judgment
of the American people will justify
Intervention, it is pretty certain by
this time that Wilson will act as
quickly as anyone.
With many grievances, the republl-
cans are singularly short of issues;
and the old prosperity" cry on which
they won so often now works to the
advantage of the democracy.-Chi-
cago Journal.