South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-07
MAY !. 1920.
JOHNSON CAUSES c. o. p ANXIETY
AND DEMOCRATIC SMILES.

The inquiry so frequently heard even locally.
seemingly common throughout the country. 70
whether or not Sen Hiram w Johnson intends
bolt the republican party. if ne fails receive the
presidential nomination a Chicago sig
nifcance. To mind, however, while the query is
tantanount. see the prospect lamented in the
z. o. p. press 10 expression Of concern antcipa-
tory Of defeat for that party the November cleo
ton II IS not wise the democrats to depend too
hugely upon that outlook alone 1t is always a ques-
tonable credit to win in a campaign the dsaffec-
ton or dement's an opposition rather than upon
ones own merits. The democrats may be able
20 produce may not care to produce, a candidate
such they 1912. big enough lead them
20 victory through a republican split then make
good by directing legislative appropriation Of his
chief opponents platform.
Discussing this subject, the New York Tribune
discusses situation. the Californian to
task. however, after a well calculated
provoke smiles: smiles in anyone who has been
lowing the trend of current political hstory-un-
bound by & o. p. preclude stands in anus
ing to the cccksureness that professed
in republican circles before the primary campaigns
were started. The is that the rank and file Of
republican voters are seriously in discord,-and
they IT,
The incessant naggng at the Wilson administra-
ton, in which the party chieftains and spokesman
have been engaged has not only been bad policy.
from patriotic standpoint; ii has also been bad
politics In their absorption they have failed
into consideration the necessity for framing a con
structive program with the their follow
ers are well-nigh hopelessly split that rival
candidates within the party asking for their sup
port The bitterness that has been engendered in
the factional struggle with frauds claimed does
make for confidence that harmony be estab-
lished at Chicago
Johnson has attracted to his banner all the ire
concilabIes and discontinued elements. and it may
well be doubted If they can be led to support any
substitute the g. o. q can offer Johnson, as the
nominee on the other hand is not pleasantly
sidered 5y the party chieftains.-and democratic
ehieftans we'll republicans, might do worse than
find it a of worry
Have you made any study of the Literary Digest
pol? Here is a significant item? Pres't Wilson is
not candidate but he is running far ahead Of Vice
Pres't Marshall who is. and who being groomed
Just Il seems. as the candidate ready to throw
the hooks into the who in 1912 1916 yank-
ed him into his present job. The men who are get
ting the votes in that FOIL arc men known. or are
least supposed TO be for the Wilson policies but
how about those who voted for Wilson in 1916. now
sending their polls for some republican presiden-
tial asprant2 You ask the question and the
swer is easy:
They are from the milon-and -a-half of bull
moosers who voted for Wilson in 1916 and who
elected him, and still him and would be for
any other democrat if they sure that the demo-
going back the presidents policies up.
However, poisoned by anti Wilson propa ganda, not
only republican. but joined in by certain democratic
leaders with no enort to neutraze the poison from
any democratic source they just naturally feeI-a
lot OF them do-that it is try to go farther
along with a party worm-eaten by such perhdy
They naturally feel. they have a perfect right to-
that II Wilson is TO be repudiated by the democrats
well the republicans, as the propaganda is
making Il TO appear and which the democrats
through silence seem TO coucede. there isn't enough
difference between a democrat and republican to
Justify ex-buu mooser OF former republican
habits in his hghtng those habits any longer
The democratic party. is being managed is
its own worst enemy this year; the fault too, is in
the managerne and the conduct certain lead
ers here and there; leaders who talk loud because
they mad generally. over enthusiastically
something else OF pap" order.
Democracy we anticipate. instead OF setting back
and resting on the prospect Of a republican split
might do worse than 30 devote some of its energies
Observation-Disclosures win bring adhesion to its own
forces Democracy cannot thrive splits in the
publican party forever. The worm turns and it is
twisting in that direction today II we observe the
signs OF the times correctly twisting in that direc
ton well the other-jus- a sort OF wiggle with
no telling where it will wind up or the direction
IN which IL viii point when it STOPS.
49, -,