The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-02-12
Colonel George Harvey. in The
Weekly:

0Stnkys
do not hesitate to say that I
think the world today. trembling
under the menace of bolshevism,
owes large part OF that grow
ing menace to the policies and
utterances of the chief executive
of the United States.
These are the carefully considered
words OF a United States senator.
They were uttered on the floor OF
our national senate by one of the
leaders of that great body on whose
decision win depend our acceptance
or rejection of the treaty OF peace
now in process of evolution at Paris.
where the chief magistrate, who is
the object OF this formidable ACCUSE
ton, is our self-appointed representa-
tive and arbiter Senator Harding,
OF Ohio, was the speaker He repre-
sents one of the greatest states In
the union. From his first appear
ance In the senate his views on all
matters under elaboration have car
ried exceptional weight. He is ree-
ognized as one of the senate's aDlest
men. OF the senate republicans ms
name leads all others in that bodv
as a possible candidate for the presl-
dency of the United States on the
republican ticket.
Coming from such source ano
uttered In the course of a carefully
prepared speech from such a forum
the words Of the Ohio senator are
words of grave import They are
startling, even--startling In the OK
Ii, ne. They charge President VII
son with responsibility for direct en-
coura cement of destructive toice
now fully recognized as one OF the
gravest perils facing the world SEM
tor Harding is not the man TO Trans
lightly an accusation so form1daple-
Nor di1 he frame it lightly. dhe Lacls
on which he based it are only too
ABUNDANT. Two weeks ago we spread
before our readers the record OF the
presidents tour in Italy and the fer
ment of socialistic enthusiasm which
everywhere attended him and which
seemed to find fresh stimulus IN ais
every utterance. His appeal then
fragrant as was the Improperly
was over the heads of the constituted
authorities to the prejudices and %
the only too plainly bolshevik-talnteo
passions of the populace. We quoted
from dispatches to the WorD, one
of Mr.. Wilson's staunchest thickrano-
thin supporters, which showed that
the president was regarded by DOL
sheyik agitators in Italy, eager 10
mite the soldiers and radical social
list element. as an asset OF the nigh-
est value. The danaer of misinter-
pre.ation of the American peorle >
attitude. which the presidents vague
id ealism preachments only too piain-
" invited, was pointed OUT we
called the attention OF our iepreseh
tatiyes at Washington to III menace.
We said then, as we say now:
There must be no misrepres en-
tation of this republfc-not LOT
day, not for an hour.
1t is time for vigilance, no less
than tolerance.
America is no bolshev1st
Senator Harding's grave woros
have come none too soon. Inc ser
ate of the United States cannol loo
soon nor too emphaticaiiy serve TO
tice on Mr.. Wilson, and on the Wo,iu'
that not for an instant Will II loleA
ate any terms of world read]ust lreli.
which involve compromise Win the
herds OF murdetels'
thieves. and madmen VINO nave
duced Russia to shampies ano
swine-wallow, and who Woulo spis
the blight from their own ool W.
over those of the rest OF the "olie.
We recognize no creed ia snls y.
49,, which exalts the loafec over me
to;1e, ar nuts the ignorant anu the
s,iftleSs on a par with the educated
and the ambitious. And precise!y
that freed is the basic article OF Ialth
.,,itb ho,sheyism and all its sociailstlc
L;tb and kin, however they may Dc
;s.,,ised under varying euphemlsmh
of designation. ,,.s
,hout Reconstruction of the worid
nsvchology." about the creation Oh
new world atmosphere, AND VIVA.
not have opened the way for an
utter Misrepresentation OF America
tboueht and convictions. perhaps
thew have opened the way TO hilscoL-
centions of what really were In nls
own mind. His rhetorical rhapsouiss
have more than once recolled upon
hin, in that way. His fatal git =,
has repeatedly reg
him into false and contradictory po-
sit;ons out of which he had to fioun-
der the hest way he could. HIS soar
;ng oratorical flights into the realms
-, his beloved doctrinaire ideal
;sr,s,, NAV have misrepresented ms
,aaI sentiments in this instance.
Maybe they did and maybe they dld
not That is his affair. But tney
nisrepresented, totally ana raoicaiy
misrepresented. the American peo-
ple. and that is very decidedly tne
bn,erican peoples affair. Senator
Harding came TO the opinion we e3-
nressed a fortnight ago that 1t was
i,igb lime the repres entatives OF the
neopIe took cognizance of the faise
i;.bt in which we are being MADE 10
anpear. His arraignment of Mr.. " IL
son was severe. But it was none 100
severe. 1t was merited. Furthee-