The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
.PROGRESS|VES WILL
DECIDE ELECTION
OF THE PRESIDENT
Men Who Broke Away From
Party Oppression Have
Destiny of Nation
in Hand
ny HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, August 29.-(Special 1.-The
result of the presidential campaign, the
conservative democrat and conservative
republican readily admits depends al
most entirely on the conduct of the pro-
gressives.
If they voluntarily resume the state
of servitude In which they were enslaved
prior to 1912. If they joyously bear again
the yoke of their former masters. Barnes
and Penrose Smoot and Crane, then JUS
tice Charles Evans Hughes will beyond
all question be the next President OF the
United States.
On the other hand IL they continue to
display their independence continue to re-
sent the driving inclination of the old
bosses, continue to stand for principle
rather than spoils, then nothing can pre-
vent the reelection of President Wilson.
TIME FOR STRATEGY
The above deductions are practically
self-evident. For that reason, something
more subtle than oratory, something
more powerful than record" or even
prosperity" will be required to turn
the trick" There is nothing more pal
pable than that the present speech-mak-
ing tour of Mr.. Hughes will not suffice. II
democratic record and democratic pros
perty cannot win, the nonspecific charge
of candidate must of necessity fail
The democratic campaign committee has
seen the handwriting on the wall. There
have been and will be democratic orators
on the stump The democratic literary
bureau is grinding overtime. But the
trump card of the democratic managers
has to do entirely with a man to man
campaign among the leaders of the pro-
gressive faction of the nation
For the above reason President Will
son will not make tour of the country.
He will deliver several speeches. But he
will not devise regular itinerary
OUTLOOK is ROSEATE
The, enthusiasm displayed by leading
democrats Of the nation is not ATTRIBUTABLE
to g. desire on their part to bluff. They
are not whistling to keep their spirits
up. For nothing is more certain than
that Mr.. Hughes has failed to sway the
masses He has not precipitated riot
He has not even aroused enthusiasm.
He has failed to argue away democratic
prosperity. He has not attempted to
criticize the democratic legislative record
He has contented himself with a pulse
less charge that President Wilson, tc
make room for deserving democrats has
violated the spirit and the letter of civil
service regulations.
Republicans are disappointed. Some o.
their leading newspapers have admitted
as much. They expected something
stronger, something more virile, some
thing bigger. something more importan
from the man they considered theil
broadcast and their ablest
AS result of the Hughes fiasco, there
FORE democrats are greatly encouraged
They consider the outlook peculiarly 70
seate. They are willing that the repub
lican candidate continue his campaign
in his present fashion. They believe tina
despite all he can do. he will re-elect tn,
President.
WILSON WILL STRIKE
AS reported previously in The Age-Her
aid. the President was delighted with tn.
acceptance address Of his opponent. ]
is known from his close advisers tina
his delight has grown in leaps and bound.
since Mr.. Hughes has taken the stump.
Nevertheless, he is determined sharply
to cali the hand OF the republican
nominee-to take him to task. In his ac
ceptance speech at Shadow Lawn earl,
| In September he will reply to the NOR,
| nearly specific charges of the republican
standard bearer, and will challenge hin
| to take the people of America into hi
| confidence. He will challenge him {,
/ declare what he would have done hat
he been President when Germany, on tn,
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