The Washington herald., 1916-05-26
Strongest Republican Needed.

Two international issues, the outcome OF
which will greatly increase or diminish the
strength of President Wilson in the approach
ing campaign have, for several weeks past,
been shaping themselves unmistakably in his
favor. Today there is little reason to doubt
the President has the confidence and esteem
of as many Of the voters as at any period in
his administration. He may gain greatly in
strength as the months go by 1t will be well
for the ambitions of the Republican party lead
ers if they bear these conditions and possibili-
ties in mind when they go into convention one
week from next Wednesday to nominate the
partys candidate for President. They cannot
afford to make the mistake of selecting any
man but the one who can command the largest
number of votes on election day next Novem-
Der. They must not blind themselves to the
indications that the contest will be close and
to the possibility that the loss of two
States by few thousard ballots less may
cost them the victory.
How President Wilson will fare at the polls
will be determined by the status of this country
with relation to the European and by the
outcome OF its undertaking in Mexico, more than
by all the other factors combined. Our negotia-
tions with Germany have reached stage that
must be regarded reasonably satisfactory to
a very large portion of the people. If Novem-
Der comes without renewal of submarine war
fare involving the sacrifice Of American lives,
these people will credit the President with a
victory. While in Mexico the situation is yet
somewhat precarious it is less menacing. The
President already has been given credit for strik-
ing a blow there and if there is no serious
recoil it will be scored as another victory. 1t
empty, but the dinner pals are full and the war
will be made to cover countless mistakes. So
President Wilson today is strong and gaining
strength. In FIVE months he may be doubly
formidable.
So neither the "Old Guard" nor any other
Republican faction may without inviting disaster
weigh selfish interests any consideration other
than the national welfare against the vote-con-
trolling power OF the strongest candidate, which
it may safely be said at this juncture is the
party's most valuable asset. While the Progress
sives party may be eliminated from calcula-
tons, Progressive sentiment cannot safely be
ignored. A weak opponent of President Wilson
would be one representing all that the enthusi-
asts who followed Roosevelt in 1912 are opposed
to; weaker opponent would be one who flies
in the face of all Of those who voted for Henry
Ford in the Middle West, who is a standing
reputation OF his own proclamation and pledge
against third term in the White House and an
affront to the hundreds of thousands OF old
fashioned Republicans with whom party loyalty
is religion.
There is nothing to justify any such conf
denee on the part of Republicans as would lead
them to nominate either one or the other. The
country's demand in this period Of great respon-
sibities and possibilities is plainly for wise and
experienced and far-seeing craftsmanship. calm
judgment, steadfast and conservative policies. 1t
may require all of these in large measure to
defeat President Wilson