The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-05-26
THE PRESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY

NV. j. Bryan, in The Commoner.
The Chicago Tribune, the most in
luential Republican paper west c
New York, begins a leading editor
al in its issue OF May 7, as follows
The meeting of the Republi-
can national convention, which
will be in session in Chicago a
month from today, will be The
most important meeting of re-
publican delegates since the par
ty was founded.
The issues confronting the
country today are fully as breat
as those which faced our fore
.athers in 1850, while the influ-
enCe of the republican delegates
viii be greater this year than it
was at that time. In 1860 it
was the division OF their oppon-
ents which gave The control of
the nation to the republicans.
This year it will be only a divis-
ion of republicans which will
permit the government of the
United States to remain in the
hands of the democrats.
Mr.. Wilson is minority pres
ident. He received a trifle un-
der 100000 votes, as compar-
ed to 100000 and more cast
for Roosevelt and Taft together.
Thus the progressive-republican
vote was more than 100000
greater than the democratic vote
while it is probable that in their
factional bitterness both pro-
gressiYes voted for Wilson in or
der to secure the defeat of their
pet aversion.
II therefore appears mathe-
matically certain that if a car
didate can be found who will
please the voters who voted Gor
Roosevelt and the voters who
voted for Taft, this person will
be the next president of the
United States.
If only one candidate is chosen
to represent progressives and re-
publicans, Wilson will need t
nold his entire 1912 vote and ap~
proXimately 100000 votes from
his opponents.
1t is just as well to look the facts
the face. The republican party,
united, can enter the campaign
tn popular majority of 100000
tes On its side. AS portion OF
is majority is made up Of a large
ljority in a few republican states,
r party's handicap is not quite as
eat as it appears, but it is still
ough to compel serious considera-
N.
To the normal republican adVan-
&c must be added the disaffection
long German and Irish democrats.
ithOut attempting to decide Wheth-
the president was wise OF unwise
taking the course that alienated
EN-, the party is cOnfroned by the
Ct that this alienation will cost it
large number of Votes-enOugh to
feat the party in several close
ties.
From what source can we draw the
mber Of recruits necessary to give
2 party a fighting chance? From !
e source and from one source only |
mely, the peace element of the re-
blican party, we can not draw |
-es from the war element.
There is a peace element in the |
publican party as shown by the |
ye cast for Henry Ford in Micht- |
n, Nebraska and other states.
is is the only element to which the |
mocrattc party can appeal and to
peal to this element it will be nee
ary to do more than has yet been
ne.
If any considerable number of re-
blicans felt friendly to the presi-
ut they would have shown it by
iting his name as their choice
EN- they expressed themselves at
primary.
If this element is to be conciliated
must be done by move toward
ice. The OpOrtuniLy is here. The
rman government, in accepting
S governments position in the sub
rine controversy, gives as one OF
reasons for doing so it's unWill-
ness to be responsible for extend
or spreading the war 1t refers
the fact that it has twice express
a desire to consider terms of
-ce The way is open. viii the
sident take advantage of the op-
tunity? Failure to secure peace
uld bring no humiliation while
cess would be of tremendous ad-
ltage to him politically, as well as
blessing to this country and the
rid. He can at one stroke destroy
the advantage the republican par
now has and make the race on
record of paecemaker. Win (
give voice to the worlds conscien-
to humanity's hopes?
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