Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-19
Democrats Won't
Split OUer Wilson
from Page One

Continued from Page One
the President rather than to out and
out defiance of him. Senator Hoke
Smiths plea IL that he has been driven
in the Democratic team. although he
has not worn the Wilson collar He
implies a pledge OF general support OF
Wilson at San Francisco, but not blind
following of him there.
Both Men Are Pro Wilson
His opponent is Attorney General
Palmer, whom he charges with wearing
the Wilson collar. Palmer was put
into the Georgia fight by the admins
tration TO carry its banner there. The
Georgia issue. SO far as il eau be sep.
arated from factional fighting. is one of
blind obedience TO Wilson against dis.
eliminating acceptance of his general
leadership.
Palmer is for Wilson without rcscr-
va,ipns. Hokp Smith is for Wilson
with reservations. That is about as
sharp AS the Wilson issue can safely be
made. Pure undisguised anti Wilson
ism, as pcrsouifed by Senator Reed,
will not go down.
Rryan's weakness in Nebraska appears
TO be that he has. like Reed, become
toe much identified with uncompromis-
ing opposition to the President. Bryan
is trying to dodge the Wilson treaty is
sue and force to the front the prohi-
bition issue. At most he hopes that
of eight candidates for delegate at
large. seven of whom support Hitchcock
lie can slip through among the first
four. 1t is not very confident cam
paign he is conducting.
Curiously, in Nebraska. it is Hitch
cock who presents the issue of general
support of the President. but not of
blind adherence to. him. He is for Will
sou with reservations, much smaller
reservations than those of Hoke Smith,
however. but he does not wear the Viii
son collar like Palmer in Georgia. Ap-
parcntly the wearing of the Wilson col
lar is not the best political asset.
Hitchcock Draws the Line
Hitchcock strike speech in Omaha
Inst night. telling of the President
mistakes and denying his own personal
obligation to Mr.. Wilson, shows where
he is trying to draw the line.
The campaigns in Georgia and Ne
braska, together with the result already
clear in Missouri, indicate what the
Democrats are thinking or are supposed
to be thinking. The party does not
want to go to pieces by fighting Wilson,
neither does it mean to follow Wilson
blindly.
A victory for Palmer and Hitchcock
would be the strongest pro Wilson re-
suit possible, both being pro- Wilson.
and one wearing the collar. With
victory for Hoke Smith and Hitchcock,
the most likely result would be pro
Wilson. with reservations. 1t would
mean that the Democrats want their
convention 10 follow the President. but
not blindly.
A victory for Bryan and Hoke Smith
would be the most anti Wilson result
possible. Bryan is, in n sense. Wilson :
rival for control of the Democratic
party. His success would mean that the
Democrats. at least those in Nebraska,
want change of leadership.
Although Bryan has avoided a direct
frontal attack and is trying at best
merely 20 slip into the convention in
the confusion caused by eight caudi-
dates for delegate at large, Of whom he
alone presents any issue. his election
would be an important indication of his
party's discomfort with Wilson's con-
troll -Four years ago Bryan went down
and out in Nebraska. He was beaten
all along the line by Senator Hitchcock.
1t was not supposed that he could ever
come back.
To get back he will have to overcome
the whole strength of the HitchcOc;
machine. led a. il is by Arthur Mullin.
one of the most effective fighting politi-
clans in the West. The Hitchcock ma =