New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-01
FLEE FATUOUS SECURITY
If the Republican, Do Not, They Cannot
Win Election.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: perfectly level, unbiased and d'-
passionate look Mt the situation seems 10
your correspondent to lead TO the conclusion
that neither Elihu Root nor Justice hughes
could be elected President OF the Onlteo
States.
In any event, let the Republican party dis-
cover and face the facts, fairly and squareiy'
Let II not blindy follow faulty. This Is
no time for wishing" much less for the de-
structive snimosities and impenetraoIs
prcjudices that simply tend to parslyze every
hopeful purpose.
The outcome OF the approaching Presiden-
tial campaign spells Woodrow Wilson unless
the Republican party stops its pussyfooting
and cat scratching on the back fence OF dis
cord and division. and comes out front INTO
the open. in the strength and zeal OF patriotic,
hi gh minded harmonious manhood; and un-
less the Republican party, with generous
unanimity. chooses as its standard bearer in
the coming campaign some man who can de
feat Mr.. Wilson.
1t seems doubtful indeed n either one 81
the above mentioned distinguished Republi-
cans could bring about this exceedingly I'm
portsnt and desirable result Whatever Their
merit and it is very great both Of them lack
the essential element Of popularity. Whether
we like it or not, the people do the voting.
There Is no occasion for questioning the
character or standing of these exceptionally
eminent lawyers, who in many instances have
shown themselves to be astute. broad-minded
statesmen. and above reproach. There IS No
spiteful desire TO recall the astounding thing
that Nr. Root did in the National Republican
Convention Of 1912, the bitter sting Of which
still smarts in the sensitive flesh of hun
dreds OF thousands Of Republican voters. u
may be wholly unnecessary and illadvised -
dwell upon hi, lifelong, professional repre-
sentaton Of Interests" toward which the
masses Of the people do not bear the best o.
good will, to say the least. And as to MIR.
Justice Hughes. II is probably needless e
call attention TO his scarcely being a nations
figure in any largo and compelling sense.
Suffice II 10 say that neither one touches
the popular pulse; that neither one shares
notably the popular point of view; that
neither one, either by constitutional TEN
permanent or practical experience, has come
10 enter heartily into the spirit and feeling
Of the masses; and that neither one will get
the popular vote TO any considerable extent.
And it is utter suicidal folly TO say, "a
we'll known member Of the Union League
said 10 your correspondent only few days
since. that no matter who is the nominee Of
the Republican party this year he will simply
sweep the country against Mr.. Wilson. Sucr
fatuous sense OF security will certainly
precipitate another Republican disaster.
The Republican nominee. in order to win
must be n tried and proved statesman. Of
universally recognized vision. strength and
ability, who is at the same time truly repre-
sentative. not Of the few, but Of the majority
of the voters of the country. man in whom
the element of popularity is conspicuous, a
man Of distinguished leadership, in whom
the people have implicit confidence and on
whom the country can safely rely.
Therefore let the patriotic Republicans Of
tho nation absolutely sink all narrow, sell
FISH, biassed and factional considerations and
get togetherl Let them agree upon such r
standard bearer. For national honor, pres
tige, peace and prosperity are all at stake
and after the a momentous period OF
reconstruction, not merely local. but world
wide. HENRY A. BOMBERGER.
Philadelphia, Penn, May Is, 1915.