The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-05-31
WILSON. THE POLITICIAN.

q ENATOR HARRY s. NEW, who Is himself
good enough politician to be an excellent judge Of
such matters, said few things m his speech to tie
Indiana Republican state convention Wednesday which
should have been said before and which we hope will be
repeated quite frequently in the next few months, when
be declared hat Woodrow Wilson is not only the most
Ostute political leader the Democratic party had, but
he most partisan president the country has had since Cen
Ral Jackson.
NJ Wilson i all Of that, and more It is the duty Of
he leaders Of the Republican party and OF ndepend-
snt political tendencies who do not wish to see the prae
tealy unlimited power that has been placed in the hands
Of he Chief Executive abused to make the public Ibis
situation in ID tue light They should labor seduOuSy
to make the voters understand that while Mr. Wilson has
freely used and will continue to freely use prominent Re
pubicanS in responsible places in connection with the war
activities Of the government he never permits the fortunes
Of he Democratic party 10 slip from his mind tor minute
No one knows the political history Of the country better
than Mr.. Wilson. He makes use OF his powerful bold
upon this stock Of knowledge every day. Always he acts
upon the principle that It his duty leader Of the party
10 see to it that is strengthened instead Of ruined BY the
war. If he has his way, when his term up the Demo
cratic party, which was a minority party in 1912 and
could not have elected its candidate but for the moTt.
ate split in the Republican ranks will be not only
jony party but party restored to the performance IN our
party politics which it had just prior to the Civil
Absolutely the only way in which Republicans hope
10 oppose such leader 50 armed is by adopting the line
which Senator New laid down at Indianapolis. Yet In
tead Of doing that hundreds Of Republican organs and
Republicans all over the country have been wasting their
tme and exhausdng the patience Of public which 50
much in need Of instruction regarding the actual situation
with criticism Of the war and in petty fault finding. The
easiest way 10 play into the hands of the asute Mr. Wilson
Is 10 keep that up This is not Mr.. Wilson's war; 1t
~ > D. n. Il
he effort to make Mr. Wilson responsible for every le
error that has been committed he eject will be to give him
he credit for he glorious success which bound to cone,
for he simple reason that the American people never yet
put their whole heart into anything without making 60
Fious success Of il.
What will happen Il the Republican party IS a whole
does not adopt Senator News Vew which has the double
merit Of being good practical politics q well as aEsghIed
craftsmanship forehown IN what happened in The
Of Josephus Daniels. The Secretary of he Navy is
close second 10 he President he matter OF political
Sasaciy Republican politicians and Republican writers
nStnetvey feared he politician side Of Daniels and hey
pounded him numerically all the Gme. No public nan
since Grover Cleveland was 50 Toundy abused But Dan
ies sat tight The fact that he did shows what good
practical politician he IS When the big test came Daniels
cane through with flying eOOrS. It was largely because
our navy like he navy Of Britain always up on rs IOOs,
but that did not make any difference to the man n DE
street. He expected old JOsephus to blow up with loud
noise and when he did not he made up his mind that some
one had been doing 10, Of lying about the civilian head
Of the navy. And 50 great amount Of instructed poht-
ioal effort went for naught The saFest way 10 commit
political suicide the congressional campaign would be 10
attack Daniels on the navy.
This affair and the clear note sounded BY the Indiana
senator ought 10 make opponents Of he Democratic party
change their tactics. but we are not INDUCING any a.
EaVagant hopes along that line Too many men play At
he political game with their feelings inlsead Of with heir