Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-27

- tary Gardner of the State Democratic
Executive Committee leaves the
Georgia situation unaltered in so far as the
rights of the voters in the forthcoming Presl-
Dental primary are concerned, and at the
same time strengthens the esteem in which
Mr.. Hoover is held by host of Democrats
who consider him the happiest choices their
party could make as it's nominee for the 1870
campaign.
Before the subcommittee addressed its
uncalIed-for QUESTIONABLE to the man who
repeatedly had declared that he was seeking
no favors at the hands of any political or
ganization, it was perfectly evident that the
voters were entitled to pass upon his avail
ability Under the committees own rule,
many more than the required number of
Democrats had petitioned that his name be
put on the ballot They knew that he was
not candidate for the nomination. They
knew that he had never been immersed in
partisan politics. They knew that he was in
no wise a professional politician, and that
by most of those In that occupation he was
eyed askance. But it was largely for these
very reasons, together with his superb
achievements and his proved loyalty to the
vital principles of democracy, that they
favored him. These Democrats and thou
sands of like persuasion have the same opin-
ion tc1ay that they had before Secretary
Gardsyr sent his letter and Mr. Hoover wired
his sAswer And certainly they have the
same right
For in that answer, model of courtesy,
frankness and common sense, there is moth
ing-which changes the publics judgment on
Mr.ssHooVer and nothing which releases the
State Executive Committee from it's bounden
dutyeto let the Democrats of Georgia express
their own preference in their own way in
the Presidential primary. 81 was not identi-
ned with the Democratic party before the
war" say Mr.. Hoover. But assuredIy that
does not preclude his being identified with
the party in this new day if the Democratic
rank and file choose him as leader upon prin-
ciples which his intensely democratic con-
Flctlons can accept. ''My official connection
with the Government" saws, has been
solely war servie, and consequently not of
partisan character" Well, the fact that
ne. served as patriot rather than as par
tlsan and that he seeks no political rewards
1of MS service com.nends him all the more
heartily to people who admire open dealing
ana unselnsh labor. Il have not been able -
ne says, ito persuade myself at all that anv
real public service will be performed bv in
Jectlng myself into the race for the nomina-
tlQn TO the greatest honor at the disDosaI Of
the american people" Does this unaffected
moaesty, this unwillingness to intrude him
SCI upon the public for personal ambition.
n II MIN Whlt less available as a nominee
II the people themselves choose to mt him
forward, as they unquestionablv are doingS
IN Snort the situation in Georgia remains
unchanged except to the extent that M
mowers non-politfcal reply to a poltica1lv
pIoMpteu letter has deepened the confidence
III Wnlcn MS Democratic admirers hold him
aga thus mas added just that much to the
commlttees obligation to allow tho votorc
70 pass upon him at the polls.