Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-10
Harmony, and There Is No Harmony

itt' i''hN hb lhtT J. No fturIlOHN
CHAlRMAN HAYS, foremost disciple of
optimism knew that his wish was
father to his thought when he told the con-
rention in Chicago that political peace
rcigned within the Republican party and
there would be no bolt in 1920. And the
delegates who cheered him. some with bit
tcrncss under their outward enthusiasm.
knew that beneath the calm surface of that
first day there were swirling currents that
threatened To dash the G. O. p. ship on the
rocks OF discussion as they did in 1912
when Theodore Roosevelt, less rabid, less
violent, less dangerous than his 1920 pro-
totype, led his followers out OF the party
tent and set up Il progressive establishment
OF his own.
True, Hiram Johnson has said that lie
Will not bolt. that he will stand hitclicd
to any candidate the party may name and
any platform it may promulgate. But his
closest friend and adviser, his manager of
political strategy, and one of the ablcst men
IN the radical camp, Senator Borah, is not
so mild. He does not openly threaten a
bolt. but the fight he is making for a fiat
reputation of the league of nations, leads
inevitably {. the belief that he will refuse
to accept any plank not Of his own max
ing or 10 his liking. Other friends OF the
Californian are more outspoken. They de-
clare unreservcdly that johnson must die
tate to the convention, or the end of June
Will see 4 third party in the field and the
q. O.. P~..again rent asundcr. Indeed. with
Johnson defeated for the nomination and
on the league plank. after the defiant. abso-
lutte stand lie has taken, he could not con
SiStcntly give active support TO the party's
nominee and platform. despite his protesta-
lions Of loyalty. y bolt would be his logical
course, ii he is to remain in politics, and
that is what is read in the political cards.
Today may tell.
That ostcnsiblc harmon which pcrvaded
the opening scenes OF the party drama only
yelled conflicting interests and contcnding
emotions that were ready TO break forth
in turbulence, n IA moments notice. Dele
gates we're waiting under strain for the in
ovitab!c clash, for IL was impossible, they
knew, as the world knew, that factions as
far apart as the polls could be rcconcilcd
in committee and "a struggle kept from the
floor. In that maelstrOm Of opposing views
and clashing personal ambitions the party
faces disaster. the league OF nations the
rock on which it may 20 to pieces, for there
is no way out which AL may follow. If the
2 Johnson idea dominates, then the treaty
rcscrvationists cannot accept the PLATFORM;
if the r"scrvationists triumph. then John
son is driven out and the great West will
20 with him. If a straddle plank is adopted
and a dark horse named. both factions arc
left dissatisfied and dishcartcnCd.
no wonder, then, that the party leaders,
who Tor months have been shouting
triumphantly that the battle was already
won, feel success in November rapidly slip
ping from their grasp. They see their
moves for a reunited. solid, fighting organi-
zation chcckmatcd at every point, and the
cloud OF an outright split hovcrs over them.
fllty millions OF dollars to education is
Il gratifying gift even If Mr.. Rockefeller
does md 1t necessary TO boost the pricc of
gas and motor car owners thus become the
veal ana unthankcd authors of the princely
bcncfacti0n.
Now that the Reds and the prontccrs
nave oeen denounced by the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor it may be considered
unanimous.