Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-26
Not a Genius.
EADERS of the Republican party have
discovered that great man is really

n
l discovered that a great man is really
out of place in the Presidency, and
frankly plead this discovery by way Of
mitigating the disappointment caused by
the nomination of Senator Warren G. Hard
ing, whose talents they admit are but so So
Senator Harry New, of Indiana, states
that the Republican, nominee is mot a
master mind" and another prominent Re-
publican Senator remarks that he lizard
ing( sis not a genius" These candid COM
ments are not tinged with regret. Rather,
they are in complacent vein as if\ ibis
"orneriness" were an asset to Senator Hard
ing for the duties of the supreme office for
which he has been nominated
AS the Republican leaders put it, the
country wants a President of mediocre
type who twill seek advice and listen to
reason.@ This is new tack for the Republic
an party, far different Hrom it's attitude
when it had great lhenlto draw FROM
Obviously, as the New York; Times re-
marks, "the present effort is to make. it
out that the truly desirable qualities in a
president are mediocrity shot through with
good nature, readiness to take advice from
ms. wiser than he, and, a general DISPOSE
ton to get on with everybody and to hope
that all will turn out for the best.
The New York Times thinks that there
is something to be said in extenuation of
the present Republican view of the Chief
Magistracy. 1.-THE American Presidency would
not be an entire failure without a man of
towering intellect and massive character.
One Of that kind cannot be caught every
four years. And Presidents may be useful
even if they are not brilliant. There have
been several of that kind on the roster. An
able Cabinet and the support of strong men
in Congress may do much. to make up for
lack of bold initiative and sustained en-
ergy at the head of the Government All
this may be conceded without in the least
going over to the opinion, so comfortable to
cherish when one thinks of Senator Hard
ing, that it really doesn't make a great deal
OF difference who is President so long as
he is honest and friendly and means we'll"
1t is an odd commentary on the Republic
an party for it's leaders to ibelittle the
Presidency, and sad one upon the candi-
date the party named as it's leader at Chi
cago. Senator Harding is mot genius" he
has not master mind" and nobody would
object to these truly frank estimates of the
man if they did not reflect so little respect
for the great office to which he aspires as
the candidate of the very men who entertain
for it such light regard.
The mere fact that Republican leaders,
driven to the expediency of apologizing for
their candidate, evidence a willingness to
belittle the Presidency doesn't minimize the
great office They are only shutting their
eyes to the facts and giving no heed to the
heavy responsibility that the President of
the United States must bear, during the next
four years. There are responsibilities which
are his and his alone-responsibilitie that
he cannot eVade. He must make decisions
involving questions of vital national policy
matters of the gravest importance that
call for the highest abilities that can be Sc
cured! The Treaty of Peace, the League of
Nations, Mexico, questions of taxations, the
railways, shipping, labor, reconstruction,
government expenditures are a few of the
large subjects that will command his at
tention.