Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-06-08
REPUBLICAN APATHY.

Reports from thlcueo OF R'ht' :"
republican apathy on the eve Of the
assembling of the national convention
10 nominate candidates for president
and vice president present strange
contrast to the conventions of that
pArtv OF former years. Even In ltlz,
with the certainty OF dissension ana
defeat staring the organization In the
face. its convention was anything but
apathetic.
A few weeks ago republican orators
were loudly proclaiming that this Is
a republican year." and were making
confident predictions Of victory at the
polls next November. Now we are
told that, with a'liyely contest for the
nomination on hand, and apparent
harmony restored. the galleries OF
the coliseum at Chicago showed large
vacant spaces on the opening day OF
the convention ana that the gathering
OF the delegates was the quietcst ever
known IN the history of the party
Also IL Is stated that n total lack OF
preliminary preparation FOR the event
on the part OF the leaders OF the party
marked the assembling Of the conven-
ton.
The same leaders who have domi-
mated the republican party for nearly
generation the PenroHes, the
Lodges, tho harnesses and others OF
their type, whose names have been
synonyms of political astuteness ana
adroit management--are still on
hand, but evidences of their leadership
are lacking. The republican ship *
adrift upon choppy sen with no
hand upon the rudder TO guide Its
course
This condition il largely attriputa-
Bile to two things. In the first place,
nobody knows whether Roosevelt, IN
the event he IL not chosen. will sup
port the nominee or not George w.
Perkins has practically put everybody
on notice that only Roosevelt VIII be
acceptable TO the progressive party
and while there has been no open
threat OF revolt in the event the
colonel Ia not named, there IN little
effort to conceal the fact that he y
the only man who can command the
undivided loyalty Of the party which
he created and which was built about
his personality. II Is small wonder,
therefore, that old guard leaders find
little OF comfort IN the situation that
presents itself to them at Chicago
The indifference Of the public as
evidenced by the scanty attendance In
the galleries doubtless comes largely
from the general belief that whatever
candidate Is nominated is foredoomed
to defeat az the polls. II Is all very
well for enthusiastic partsans TO con-
sole themselves With the statement
that this Is republican year" but
proving the statement is quite n diff
ferent thing. The patent facts stick
ont that the country Is prosperous aud
that President Wilson, whatever his
mistakes may have been. has made
an earnest and statesmanlike effort 60
preserve the peace. honor and dignity
OF the nation al time when Il was
imperiled by IA world war of almost
unthlnkablc proportions The invita-
tion ia change administrations at such
"A time as this does not appeal very
strongly to the common sense Of the
American people.
In view Of all the circumstances. II
IS not surprising that the convention
now in session in Chicago is lacking
IN the frenzy OF enthusiasm that has
characterized national gatherings of
republican delegates in former years
The lush grass grew green by the river
banks