Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-13
HooUer's Striking Statement.

HO0Uer S Striking Statement.
keen with insight into the problems
of the time, Mr.. Hoover's statement
concerning his attitude toward the Presidency
is thoroughly characteristic of the man. He
is mot a candidate" has mo organization"
and has authorized no one to speak for him
politically. But "as American citizen by
birth and of long ancestry he is naturally
deeply interested in the present critical stua-
ton" On vital issues he has mature and
intense convictions. Ratification Of the Treaty
and the League covenant ("with any reserva-
tions necessary to clarity the worlds mind
that there can be no infringement of the safe
guard provided by our Constitution and our
nation-old tradition"); unvarying respect for
"our Constitutional guarantee of free speech
and free representations; unvarying an
tipathy to control of the Government for
profit, and privilege" and to the equally dan
gerous extreme of socialism, whether it be
naturalization of industry or other destruc-
ton of individual initiative; these are
blood and bone of Mr.. H0over'a political
creed; and no one can doubt where he would
stand on any specific question which involved
these basic principles But because of this
tie himself to Underlined craftsmanship" He
has none of the doctrinaires amateurish
scorn of party organization. AS a practical
minded American, wishing to see his coun-
trys established institutions used for the
common good, he declares: 81 do believe
in party organization to support great ideals
and to carry out great issues and consistent
policies; nor can any one man dictate the is
sues of great parties" But-and just here
he shows a vitality and responsiveness that
+o1o
with which politics is all too encumbered-
until it more definitely appears what the
party managers stand for, must exercise
prerogative of American citizenship and de-
cline to pledge my vote blindfolded."
This is the kind of thinking the country
wants, and the kind of leadership it needs.
The difficulties of the time are too steep and
the perils too farreaching for any citizen to
approach them "blindfolded" or to trust a
candidate whose judgments are ground out by
machine politics rather than born of deep
conviction and a sense of duty to the common
veal. There is but one way at this crucial
juncture for man to prove himself a good
Democrat, and that is by proving himself a
good American; There Is but one way for
party to deserve success, and that is by max
ing itself the instrument of incOmparably
higher ends than its own advantage and pow
er. Partisanship for a just and durable
world peace; partisanship for the freedom of
thought and speech and initiative which is
the Americans birthright partisanship for
government by the people instead of by clique
or class; paFtisanship for the nations security
and honor, for fairplay and good WILL for
justice and humanity,-this is the sort of
partisanship which the United States needs
and this is the sort for which Herbert Hoover
stands.
To bosses and brokers of patronage such
political doctrine may be stumbling block
or trail that leads no whittier. But to the
mi i1n IF r11NI
of the 1920 election in their ballots, it spells
patriotism and common sense. my sincere
and. only political desire,'' says Mr.. Hoover.
sis that one both Of the great political
parties will approach the vital issues which
have grown out of the war and are new, with
clear purpose looking to the welfare of our
people and that candidates capable Of carry
ing out this work shall be nominated,
Neither party which goes contrary to this
sound principle can command the support of
that unfettered element of voters who are al
ways the decisive factor in national cam
paigns and who are now more than ever num-
erous and potent. The Journal does not see
how the Republican party, with it's present
trend and under it's present control, can rep
resent such principles as Mr.. Hoover stands
for or can nominate such candidate as they
require. Nor do we see how the Democratic
party, if it is true to its best traditions and
it's largest. opportunity, can fail to choose
just such vantage ground and just such
leader. For the very reason that he is not
seeking the nomination, the nomination might
we'll seek him. For of all candidates who
have been proposed, or have proposed them
selves, in either party, Herbert Hoover
stands out with that distinct superiority to
partisanship, that bold and steadfast adher-
ence to principle. distinguished from ex-
pediency, that free-minded single-hearted
Americanism which thoughtful electorate
demands. He alone has aroused more than
local and transient interest, notwithstanding
his indifference to conventional politics and,
his total lack of an "organization."
Why this spontaneous and altogether
unique upspringing of interest, from coast to
coast, in a man whom professional politicians
for the most part either ignore or berate and
who continues on his business of humanita-
rian service, serenely Indifferent to what the
political future may hold for him himself? It
is because he clearly sees that "the is
sues look forward not back, and that Amer
leans cannot afford to follow any party that
is blind to this new day and it's momentous
duties. ,,.Ea. '~..
HighwaVtHarbfnoeys