Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1920-10-05
Contrasting Senator Harding and
Governor Cox.

tVfNhhOA NOhe
1t is in prediction campaigns that
voters are given opportunity to form
opinions of the rival candidates. The
policies advocated by each are con-
sidered and compared, the previous
public records of each are studied,
and the methods pursued by each in
the attempt to win votes are contrast
ed. The passing of judgment on the
rival candidates for the presidency
is now in process, and as the public
better acquaints itself with the abil-
ity, character, and motives of the two
men it is astonished to discover the
tremendous difference between them
Senator Harding has addressed
himself to the great and varied prob
lens that will confront him il elected
to the presidency, endeavoring to ac-
quaint the people with the principles
which will guide him in their solu-
ton His appeal has been to the in
tellects of the voters whose support
he asks-to their concern for the ma
tional welfare; to their desire for
peace with a resort to war only as
measure of defense, and to their love
of independence established by the
forefathers and maintained to the
present day. Nothing which Senator
Harding has said or done has been
directed at the emotions of his audi
ence or readers. He has endeavored
to win their confidence for all time
rather than to arouse a temporary
enthusiasm to carry them only through
the elections. From the start, his has
been a campaign of craftsmanship,
controlled by the highest standard of
ethics, and influenced by the most
lofty patriotism.
The campaign of Governor Cox has
been in startling contrast with that
of his republican opponent. He has
preferred not to rely on restrained
discussions of the momentous prob
lens that are before the country, but
rather to seek popular support by i'm
pulsive appeals from the public plat
form to the passions of his audiences.
The national welfare as it will be af-
fected by his acts if he is elected
president, is a subject conspicuous by
its absence from his speeches. The
league of nations, considered the
greatest issue of the campaign, has
been treated by Governor Cox from
the standpoint of Europe. He has
pictured the dreadful condition of the
old World torn by strife, and urged
that this country place itself under
the control of a foreign council to
the end that our soldiers and money
may be drafted to subdue the warning
elements. Not q word as to the cost
to this country in loss of sovereignty
lives, and wealth.
Only casual reference, has been
made by Governor Cox to such mat
tiers as the high cost of living, oppres-
sive taxation, railroads, merchant ma
rine and the other problems of gov
eminent with which he must concern
himself if elected to the presidency,
and as to which the voters are anx-
ious to learn his attitude. He has
preferred to center the attention of
the people on the alleged campaign |
expenses of his rival for office. He
hopes thereby to divert |
attention from the billions and bill /
lions of dollars that will be saved |
to the people or taken from them in T
taxation accordingly as Senator Hard I
ing's policies or his own are to con-
troll national affairs for the next four
years.
But it is a canny electorate that
will choose a president this year.
Four years ago false and emotional /
issue won the day, but this time the
voters are not to be diverted by such
a smoke screen as that behind which
Governor Cox is now hiding. When
1t blows away the people will be found
where they were before-with sound
conception of the real issues con-
fronting the nation, and with a deter
to rid the government of the
evil influences under which they have
struggled since 1881.