El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-12-22
WILSON CAN BOSS HIS OWN PARTY
EVEN INTO DEFEAT, If HE WILLIS

DRESDENT WILSON in spite Of the criticism that has
been heaped upon him since he negotiated the peace
treaty is still the undisputed leader Of his party. Near
ing the close Of his second term in the white
faced by the unwTten American law against the third
term, the president have the presidential nomination
Ior the asking ms unprecedented political situation Is
the remarkable because M Wilson's health is broken
It has been whispered the country that his illness is
more serious than Official reports Indicate and among
who in position to know his true condition grave
doubts have been expressed whether the president viii
fully regain his health Yet mention Of any other
in connection with the Democratic nomination is al
ways conditioned upon Wilson's refusal become cand
date The party awaits formal announcement Of the pres
dents purpose before considering other available
to head the ticket in the 1920 election.
That the president himself is considering the ACCESSIBILITY
Of seeking third term is indicated by his silence He
knows that Democratic leaders waiting to hear from
him and that al plans for the campaign hinge upon his
decision, yet word from the whitehouse. Per
haps is waiting If his health permit another
peace treaty fight The opinion expressed po-
hcal circles that if the league Of nations the paramount
issue in the campaign he VIII be his partys standard
bearer accepting the Republican challenge to fight the
question out ar the polls.
delaying his announcement Nj Wilson is consider
ing himself more than his party he owes it to the De-
mocracy Of the country to state his position. And he
it. also, to the who expect 10 be candidates IN
the event the president decides to retire at the end Of his
second M Gerard has announced his conditional
candidacy He VIII make the the president Is not
candidate. Champ Clark probably figures that he owes
tie president nothing and he might be candidate whether
or No announcement Is expected from M McAdoo
until the president finally definitely decided for
q
ment Of his candidacy would be accepted as tantamount
to declaration from the president himself that he would
not seek denomination.
doubtful if any Democratic leaders have attempted
sound the president out the subject They all know
from experience that advice would not be welcome And
probably no one could be found who would be willing to
tel the president the truth-that he could re-
elected. He would not believe them, anyway M Viii
made himself believe that the country approves his
in the peace negotiations and 1t may take cleo
ton TO convince him Of his
Nj Wilson'S hold his party is hard to understand
His closest friends undoubtedly realize that his renonna-
would certain defeat for his party yet they
wiling to make the sacrifice to crafty the presi-
dents ambition.
Champ Clark, the only who willing TO brave
the presidents dpleasure is not formidable candidate
His age is against him. for thing, and his var record
makes him Unavailable. He the party's choice in
1912 With majority Of the delegates to the Baltimore
convention voting for him. he failed to win the necessary
tothrds because Bryan TUNED against him There he
lost his only chance for the presidency.
Al the rest willing to step aside and let the party
be led TO the slaughter if the president says the word
No such situation has before useu in American poll
tics Presidents have sought third terms before, but never
IN the nominating conventions Grant
tried it. but failed. Roosevelt sought third term after
interval private life and although he the choice Of
his party he lost the nomination. His different
Grants IN that he had been elected president but
once IN his there deepseated sentiment
gsinst one president serving than eight years.
So il is doubtful If Wilson could be reelected, even
the popular Of presidents And IN the face
Of his record the treaty negotiations and on the Mex
situation which give premise Of being two Of the lead
ing issues, the vote against him would certainly be hur
ating TO him and to his party
The Democrats face hard situation al best Inc m
preston prevails that 1920 is going to be Republican
year and the democrats viii start the campaign with that
IMPRESSION TO overcome Still lot Of things may happen
before election It looks though the at the head