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

plined by years Of service in the bust
ness Of government, and, particularly
I'm the eXacting school Of national leg
islation, who makes the best candi
date and the best president.
Second, he must he iCeil hpOUH. This
year of all years would be Il bad time
for experiments. The character and
the career of the Republican nominee
must be IN open book. But even this
is not sufficient. However well known
he may be it is more important still
that his views should be well known.
On all the great problems that now
confront us the people will want to
know where he stands and what he
stands for.
Third. He must be firm and safe. No
n can tell what the mex four years
will bring forth. The whole world is
In flames, and the sparks are flying in
u direction. Today is more critical
than yesterday, and tomorrow may re.
qufre a steadier hand than today
There was never a time when clear
thinking and fixed purpose were so es-
oCIilld ~ AlntIlCdu uOUOT anu SRcu-
r1ty. If the threat of war increases.
Republicans nus present a candidate
who prefers peace and who will not
impulsively embroil us, but who will
never finch or falter in the face of
danger. If war comes, he must be one
to whom the people can entrust the
military power of the government with
the fullest assurance that it will be
used only to defend the sovereignty of
the United States.
Need Big Man After War.
Fourth: He must understand american
business and finance. When the war in
Europe ends there will be greater need
than ever before in our history for a
skillful. experienced and sympathetic
handling of the financial and industrial
interests of the country. The sudden
e~xigency will require rare foresight to
prevent disaster and prompt adjust.
ments to meet new conditions with ad.
vantage to American The
United States will be the richest of all
nations and the greatest of all cred
itors; while the rest of the civilized
world will be ready to make any sac
riice to regain lost markets. Such a
situation will call at once for practical.
hard-headed knowledge Of finance. and
common sense appreciation of the in
terests and opportunities of American
capital and labor.
RUTH: He must be a brOad-gauged Re
publican. The nominee at Chicago.
next month, must be satisfactory to all
substantial elements of the party. His
record must be such that both con
servatives and progressives can trust
and support him. On three occasions
only has the Republican party been de-
feated since the Civil War. and each
time the defeat was caused by a nomi-
nation forcibly imposed upon a large
and protesting minority. The fact is
that there has never been a time from
the day the first Republican was elect
ed President i'll 1860 down to the pres
ent hour when the principles of the
Republican party were not held by a
clear majority of the people. In 1884
UAANA JAbAlA LIZ Iopl VI Ii BoA ~
went down in defeat; in 1892 when
Harrison failed of reelection and in
1912 when the party was split over
the denomination of Taft, the real
of the result was not an aban-
donment of Republican principles, but
dissatisfaction with the Republican
candidate. The lesson is we'll learn
ed. 1t will not have to be repeated.
Fa~r-sighted Republicans everywhere
appreciate this fact. They will com
to the convention resolved to choose
that candidate who possesses, first, the
highest qualifications for the office,
and, next, the greatest availability
that is, the power to command the full
strength of the party and to attract
the support of that great body of indie
pendent citizens of all parties who de-
sire a change in the national admins
tration.
These are the five essentials. Who
is the man who best meets every test?
Thoughtful Republican leaders in all
parts of the country, as well as the
rank and file whose composite 1udg-
ment is fast taking form. have been
giving this question the most sober and
earnest consideration.
One thing is assured. The Chicago
convention will be a deliberative body.
There is a serious resolve, manifested
in all elements of the party. to take
counsel together and nominate the best
and strongest man-not only the one
who will poll the largest vote and sat
isfy the expectations of the greatest
number, but who will harmonic, solid
ify and strengthen the party. Already
a process of elimination, having re-
gard for no individual preferences, in
fuenced by no pride of section OF par
TALLY of leadership, has been quietly
going on throughout the country.
Senator Burton Mar of Hour.
Out of this process there is gradual
" emerging the name of II man
around whom the whole party could
rally, who would satisfy every element,