Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-29
itEvening E Yesterday 1867
Johnson Cutting a Swath.

The most interesting feature OF Tues
xiav's Republican State primaries was the
surprising strength displayed by Senator
Hiram johnson of California. This IN
rurgent Republican, notwithstanding his
record Of having twice joined in successful
.Sevolts to defeat Republican candidates
for President, has practically led the
voting. In New Jersey he ran nip-and-
kuck with General Wood, despite the
.handicap OF his late entrance upon q held
where Wood had an effective organlza-
ltion, and a campaign fund of only little
Hess than slI 900, against Wood Literally
.supplied cash box In Ohio he got some
district delegates. and in the preferential
voting he cut down the majority Of Senator
Warren G.. Harding of that State to such
miserable proportions as to virtually
eliminate the Ohio Senator from the run
ming.
It II now very probable that Senator
johnson will go into the Republican Ma
tional Convention as leader with a fol-
lowing so strong it will tax the skill and
resources of the ''Old Guard leaders to
the limit to defeat him-for defeat HIM
they will if it be humanity possible, even
should theybe impelled to theextreme re-
sort of throwing all their strength to
General Wood. This would be as gall
and wormwood to them, however, and
they are not likely to make such move
unless compelled by desperation. Hard
ing was their favorite, a man after their
own heart, who, if elected, would be
their President: but his practical re-
pudiation In the Ohio primaries sends him
to the discard. Next In the "Old Guards
favor, it is believed, is Governor Lowden
of Illinois, who has the practically solid
support of his State behind him.
The strong following of johnson in
Ohio and New Jersey. however, is not al
all surprising. In each State there IS
large turbulent element and a liberal
element of German sympathizers. These
elements are in entire sympathy with the
Republican party, this year, because 1t rs
80 vicious in its opposition to the Demo-
cratic administration. which they also
hate because Of our country's important
part In the defeat and humiliation OF
Germany. In Johnson these undesirable
elements saw man who appealed TO
them by all his characteristics, his ten
denotes and his utterances. And so they
supported him enthusiastically. They
would support any other Republican
candidate for the Presidency, but they
prefer johnson as the candidate. And they
seem TO be winning steadily in Republican
primary tests.
Another feature of these and other State
. primaries thus far held is the small size OF
! the total vote polled. In all the States
| the figures show that a large majority OF
the voters Of each political party kept away
from the polls. This delinquency viii 90
heavily against the integrity of the pri-
mary verdicts, but In one respect 1T Is an
encouraging indication. 1t shows that
thousands Of citizens are refusing to
commit themselves to party adherence
by participating In party primaries. thus
holding themselves free to vote indie
pendently at the great nationwide test Of
the November election. That they viii |
then vote for what they may look upon
as the best service to the country Is not |
doubted And it is equally certain they |
viii not extend support to any candidate |
who is in high favor with German sym
pathizeIs, radical and turbulent elements, |
and the forces of disorganization that /
would destroy our government if they |
could. Only candidate who stands for /
the United States of America and who /
represents the highest ideals Of real Ameri-
can citizenship can attract the support of |
this independent and truly patriotic eIe-
ment