The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-11-05

the administration. If Senator John
son and Senator Borah and the Battal-
ion of Death gain control, they will
dominate the foreign policy A sim
liar game of chance will determine
the domestic policies as well.
What is certain is that the country
the naive belief that republican poll
tics can cure all the economic evils
that were produced by war in which
10000 900 lives have been lost and
$500, 900, 100000 in property destroyed
No president of the United States
at the time of his election ever showed
fewer qualifications for the task that
confronted him than Mr.. Harding has
displayed in this campaign. Appar-
emily his mind has solicited and re
tains no political impressions that
were made since the days of McKin-
ley and Hanna. He has shown no ca
pacity for leadership since his nomi-
nation. Whether he will show any
capacity for leadership after his iRau-
guration remains to be seen.
The American people have displayed
the same kind of political intelligence
that the people of New York displayed
in 1917 when they threw out the
Mitchell administration and made John
F. Hylan mayor. Those exploits i'm
political prejudice are always expen-
sive, and four years from now the
country will be in better position to
estimate the cost of this latest man
Hesitation of it's worst qualities.
AS to Mr.. Harding himself. the
World can Only wish him well. He
is confronted at best with task that '
is impossible in its entirety, since no
president that ever lived could redeem
the campaign pledges that have been
made in his behalf, some of them By
himself 1t is easy to abuse Woodrow
Wilson, but TO succeed Woodrow VIII
son in the White House is a mans job.
and Mr.. Harding will not have the aid
either of united party or of those
dominant qualities that can batter
down opposition. He will have to go
with tide that runs eratically and
and the very voters
that have put him into the presidency
to do the impossible will be ready to
destroy him at the first sign of failure.
The World, quite apart from any is
sue of political principle, cannot re-
gard Mr.. Harding as the type of man
who ought to be president at this
time. But recognizing the seriousness
Of his task. we shall try to help him
rather than hinder him. and In ne
case shall we ever subject him TO the
kind of malicious obstruction that re
publican newspapers and republican
senator's have thrown in the pathway
Of President Wilson.
The World would much rather have
Mr. Harding succeed than fail. II il
willing to do what il can to aid him =
ne policies of his administration Der.
nit such assistance. and the first ad
nee 1t would give him is to forget all
ne nonsense he has. uttered in the
wipe off the slate-to
tart clean-to realize that the very
alety or civilization may depend upon
ne prudence and intelligence OF his
administration, and to trample All
'etty partisan considerations under
DOT while he faces the inexorable
acts OF a most serious situation. To
'egln otherwise is to invite disaster.
AS to the league of nations. none or
Is true supporters viii faIter on ae.
cunt OF Mr.. Harding's majorities. An
ealing from Philip drunk to Philiu So
er' they will keep their faith stead
asst and answering. Every reason
nat existed yesterday in favor Of the
atncatlon of the covenant exists 10
ay None of the elementary fact.
ave been changed by the ballot that
ere cast for Mr.. Harding.