The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-07-23
FORMIDABLE

The supporters of Senator Hard
ing will be most foolish if they do
not frankly realize the fcrmida ble-
ness of the Cox and Roosevelt
ticket. If they envelop themselves
in a mood of cocksureness it may.
we'll prove a shroud to their hopes.
Four years ago in July Mr.. Hughes
Was certain of success.
Governor Cox is seasoned poll
tician, skilled in all arts of the
craft. He knows when it pays to be
hold and when it pays to evade. He
will do all ore man can to rub the
curse of Wisconsin from his candi-
dacy, and yet at the same time not
offend The Administration, which
has still some strength with Repub-
iican ideal:stS. In franklin D.
Roosevelt he has ticket colleague
who adds great strength, especially
in New York, where he is held in
just esteem as an independent Dem
oyrat of the best type.
The twelve states of the Solid
South, excluding, Maryland, West
Virginia. Kentucky and Missouri,
muster 136 electoral votes. These
votes are Democratic on any plat
form or none. Thus Governor Cox
needs but 100 from the border
states and from the North and the
West. The legislature Of New York,
New Jersey, Massachusetts and
Rhode Island have all passed 2.75
liquor bills. Ohio went wet on a
referendum. It is easy to see how it
is hoped to get the needed l30
electoral votes.
Opportunity calls to Senator Har-
cling to come out of his intrench-
mcnts and to take the aggressive. A
defensive campaign is dangerous.
!Negation is not enough-the mis-
deeds of the Administration are not
enough basis for the campaign.
What does he propose to do to
satisfy the progressive and indie
!pendents, who are not now wholly
satisfied? The worst friends of the
Republican candidates are those
who seek to surround him with an
atmosphere of "stand-patism."
What does he propose with re-
spect to the treaty and the League
of Nations? His platform properly
avoids making particular attitude
toward the treaty q test of party
fealty. But the way is open for him
to emphasize his own opinions. Will
he actively seek to achieve ratifica-
ton with reservations of the Lodge
kind? AS a Senator Mr.. Harding
voted for ratification with the
Lodge reservations. Will he throw
the legitimate influence of the
White House in their direction if he
is elected?
Would he give the Volstead act
AN adequate trial, or would he null
lify the Eighteenth Amendment, as
the Fourteenth has been nullified
by action and non action of Con-
gress? Will he maneuver not to Of
fend the wet vote, as four years
ago Mr.. Hughes was fatally per-
suaded to be polite to the pro-Ger
mans?
No political organization fights
we'll except when it is affirmative.
This is particularly true of the Re-
publican organization. 1t is, well to
advertise a purpose to turn the il
competents out. But after they are
turned out, what then? Is it tn
plan to carry on or is it merely to
stand still?
The Republican rank and file
turn to Senator Harding with
longing for him to reveal the stuff
of definite leadership. Probably no
speech of acceptance will be as
widely real and be as potent touch
ing the November result as the one
Senator Harding is soon to make
y. Y. Tribune.