The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-23
Wilson Out of Game.

~ N@~~h Wv "a 'ATNAASs
When the president did get back. the
Democrats were heartened considerably
for they again had leader. but UNI
happily for them Mr., Wilson suffered
nervous breakdown within three
months and has been out OF the po-
litical game ever since, None OF the
presidential candidates on the Demo
cratic side seemed willing to seize the
reins az leadership In the absence of
word from the president as to his de-
sire TO run for a third term. AS con-
sequence, II may truly be Haid--indeed
II Is admitted by Democratic managers
that the Democratic defense did not
begin in earnest until the San Francisco
convention. As for an offense, that did
not start until the notification oere.
monies at Dayton which gave aggressive
Mfr, Cox chance to start an offensive
OF his own.
The big question Of victory for Gov.
Cox turns upon his ability TO wear down
an offense Of two years making. That
offense managed to implant certain
ideas about the league of nations and
certain other ideas about Mr.. Wilson $
cabinet officers which irrespective OF
the facts have taken hold, 1t is the
impression made by the Republican Of
fensive and not necessarily the logic
of their arguments which counts I'm
questionably Gov, Cox understands his
situation for IL will be noticed he is
spending much Of his time refuting the
impression that any foreign power could
at any time order American boys to
war. He has not yet said very much
to indicate affirmatively what hts do
mestic policies would be with respect
TO the selection of cabinet officers or
the administration of the 10 govern
ment departments, He hasn't differ
entiated between his own record in Of
flee and the various points OF criticism
fnuattaA at he william ad "a at
To a large extent. anything Demo-
cratic Is still Wilsonian In many sec
lions of the country where discomfort
over domestic administration is partic-
ularly deep-rooted. Some Of the friends
of Coy. Cox maintain that before the
campaign is over, the distinction will
be more than apparent Instead Of
feeling downcRst over the present status
of the campaign, the Democratic lead
ers In their private conferences are
really confident and more than hopeful.
They are not yet convinced about the
outcome but they give the appearance
OF men who. fighting an uphill fight,
have enough confidence In their case
10 be ready to accept the verdict at the
polls They haven't, however, COM
pleted their case yet nor are they eSpe
ciaily certain that in the short time
that elapses that their arguments can
convert those who have been preludiced
by the Republican offensive,
Az for the Republicans, every confer
ence among the leaders shows conf
dence and certainty over the result.
Some uneasiness Is betrayed over the
activity Of Gov Cox. This has been re-
Elected in the effort to get Mr. Harding
off the front porch at Marion. but as
a general rule, the Republican mana
gers feel they have such long lead
over Gov. Cox through the mistakes of
the Wilson administration that they
will not even get worried over the ad
vances made by the Democratic houl
nee, They think that however much he
may pTogress--eyen across the actual
finish line In many vital Statcs~-th
final tally Of electoral votes VIII show
Senator Harding above the 266 mark
The Democratic experts are depend
ing upoU Gov. Cox to come up even
with Senator Harding by the time he
returns from the West and has cam
paigned in the East--say about the
middle OF October. The Republicans
are planning a stampede 81 advertising
and flood of publicity for the month
OF October Their strategy is to SIT
cap they have--the resentment against
the Wilson administration, Some Re
publiCans are inclined TO believe a pure
ly negative policy Is dangerous and are
hopeful that Senator Harding viii be
gin to outline conCretely his proposals.
AhI Nd&eAAANAE hNNNl ''iiA'AA ANN 'Af'-N
tion and foreign policy before the mid
die of October But he majority " th'
Republican leaders think they have d
certain victory ahead
As for Marion. O.. the atmosphere al
Harding headquarters Is altOEelhei
presidential The feeling there ts thai
il is ali over bu' the shouting and very
frequently the conversation turns IL
cabinet officers and appointment unde
the expected Republican regime. II hu'
some Of the aspects OF overcUuftdenc'
but on reading their reports from al
sections Of the country. one can ready
see the reason for ovcrconfidoUe'
based upon the campaign as II has lhe'
far developed.
copyright, 1920. by David LewrenCc